The Chettiar community from South India were profoundly involved in the construction of Hindu temples, especially dedicated to their loving Vinayagar. As mercantile tradesmen, they travelled the world, but also brought along their worship of Lord Vinayagar to Malacca. Located at Jalan Tukang Emas, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, built in 1781. This street is called Harmony Street because of the close proximity of holy sanctuaries of different religions in this area. The sanctuaries here are the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the Kampung Kling’s Mosque and the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple. The temple was built a land donated by Kapitan Thaivanayagam Chitty, a distinguished Indian resident residing in Malacca. As many Hindu ancestors from Malacca had a close association with this temple, that bond has been reinforced over time, creating a strong connection with the Hindu families residing in Malacca.
The word Poyyatha is
affixed to the name of the temple as it is believed Lord Vinayagar blesses all
devotees with sincerity, which can be interpreted to be as receiving divine
blessing wholeheartedly without any compromise. Hence all devotees who come
here will get their wishes fulfilled. Many devotees have dreamt of Lord
Vinayagar blessing their ailments to be cured, by merely applying ‘vibuthi’
(holy ash) on their forehead. Once, a pious devotee was in hospital, had a
vision of Lord Vinayagar reassuring him that he would soon recover, and
requested him to perform ‘archanai’ (prayer) at the temple after he recovers
from the ailment. The devotee soon recovered, and immediately performed the
prayer at this temple. Many soon to wedded couples come here to obtain the
blessings of Lord Vinayagar prior to their marriage. The conviction is that
Lord Vinayagar will bless their marriage ceremony to be without obstacles, and
to ensure a blissful and joyful conjugal marital life.
Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar
Moorthi Temple is the main focal point for the
Hindu community in Malacca as it links with all the other Hindu temples in
Melaka. Most festive temple processions are initiated in the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi temple
before proceeding back to their own temple. Some of the notable festivals celebrated
here is the Datuk Chachar Festival and Masi Magam. The Dutch influence in the
architecture of the temple is remarkable, as it distinguishes the structural
design of this temple with other South Indian Hindu temples. This is evident in
the details of the entrance, walls, columns, vaulted domes and the roof of the
temple. Most South Indian temples have sculptures of deities, sages, angels on
the ‘gopuram’ (monumental tower). Instead in this temple, the ‘gopuram’ is a three-leveled
tower with blue molded edges and arch niches with relief images. In addition, each
of the columns of this peak tower has a triangular hole-accent at its center as
with the perpendicular base where a line of triangles run horizontally.
Sculptures of sacred cows adorn the fenced rooftop of the temple, signifying
blessings of wealth and happiness.
Address:
25, Jalan Tokong 5, 75200 Malacca. Phone: 06-2829343/06-2883599
