Marthandavar temple is one of the
famous Hindu Temples around Malaysia. It is located at Maran, Pahang; East Coast
of Malaysia. There is a great story behind this temple. Before 1970s,
deforestation occurs around Maran and during that time, one of the trees was
chopped down, it started bleeding. Scared and curious about this incident, they
seek help from a sage. The sage advised to put a ‘vel’- Lord Muruga’s weapon on
the tree to stop the blood.
Few years later, the people started to build a temple and Sultan Pahang launched
the temple’s opening during 1973. Lord Muruga in this temple known as
Marthandavar which means the ruler of the trees. The temple was recently rebuilt with a proper
Hindu Temple Structure.
Special Features:
- - It is a holy place for Hindus and suitable for
spiritual practices.
- - Food or Anathanam will be provided around
12.30pm and it’s free.
- - According to Hindus, this Muruga is powerful so
you can pray to him.
- - There is a wishing tree; people without a child
can make a wish to get one by hanging a mini cradle. You can make other wishes
too.
Disappointing features:
Okay,
actually Miss I would like to suggest this place as one of the best tourist
place. Unfortunately, because of the irresponsible temple management, this
temple loses her beauty. First, there is total evidence that a lot of money
flows in the temple. People are donating a lot, providing praying materials
such as incense, flower garlands, milk, God’s accessories and etc. Everything has
been donated yet the entry to the temple’s
toilet was charged 50 cents. Small amount but this is the first time, Miss
I is experiencing that there is a charge for temple’s toilet.
Second, the temple is very dirty. Poor management
shows a lot of spider webs, crow and pigeon’s poo! Hinduism is the religion
that stresses hygiene, the temple need to be clean in order for Hindus to gain
full spiritual success. But many of them felt disturbed by the dirtiness
because they have to step on it! There is no mat for the people to clean their
legs. Usually, visitors need to wash leg before they enter the temple, but Miss
I team need to wash again our legs after leaving the temple. It is totally dirty!
A temple in the village is not an excuse to be a home for birds. Management can
seek the help of municipal council to handle this issue. With the money they
have, they can hire more cleaners! Miss I noticed even the oil lamp that burnt
by devotees was not cleaned or removed. It was left there and people can’t light
a new lamp properly.
No banana leaf. Banana leaf is truly
Hindu’s science identity. Interestingly, during Anathanam the banana leaf is
replaced with paper leaf! They are giving food using papers! Temple should show
a good example in practicing Hindu traditions. One day, a Hindu kid might ask how
to eat with banana leaf? There is lot of spaces around, banana trees grows easily.
Just need some effort to plant it. Most of the time, food served in the temple
is the best because it was cooked with love but in this temple we can’t taste a
proper food. Maybe they are doing for just the sake of doing things!
Business port. Temple is becoming a business
port! Another way to make good money! Many sari and accessories shops opened
inside and around the temple. That means, rental money flows into the temple’s
account. There is no problem, it is just
the attitude of certain sellers. They are India origin (Not Malaysian Indian) and
acting like a beggar. They are selling things by forcing people to buy it. Miss
I experienced one guy with necklace forced us to buy it by stating it is
powerful and standing at our car without moving. How will you react for this
situation?
Overall it is a
beautiful temple and must visit. Miss I just hope the management will bark up
and be better after this. With one glance, we can say the temple is rich yet
poor management. Next question where is the money goes if it was not used for maintenance?
Government and Malaysian Hindu Sangam should monitor all Hindu Temple management
or Hindu Temples will lose its beauty. There are similar complaints about Batu
Caves yet no action taken.
A visitor with same thought!
Address:
It
is very easy to reach the temple from Kuantan. Just take the Maran exit 825
from Pantai Timur Highway. Turn right and after Maran town turn right again.
Just go straight to Bandar Jengka and temple will be on your right. Everything
is right, easy right!
No comments:
Post a Comment