Kuil Sri Mariamman hindu temple, Kuantan

There is a hindu temple in Kuantan opposite HTAA hospital. The Kuil Sri Mariamman temple sits on the junction of the highway to Gambang, on the edge of Kuantan main town. One sunny afternoon I decided to stop in for a quick visit, as it's one of the places in Kuantan I hadn't yet been to.

After taking these initial pictures I noticed a couple of pairs of shoes on the rack outside. Someone was there. I removed my sports shoes and placed them neatly on the middle shelf. When I entered through a small gap in the gate, everywhere was silent apart from the faint rippling of bells hanging around the temple, as they moved in the breeze. Birds flew around and lodged into corners of the ceiling. Surrounded by statues of hindu mythological creatures, I felt a little apprehensive about exploring further, but I overcame the feeling. There was no sign of anyone around. You only fear what you don't understand. I realised I'd done lots of research into hinduism, and I was basically standing in one of their holiest of places.

Replacing a trifle of anxiety with peace, I switched on the camera and began looking for interesting images and angles of the Kuil Sri Mariamman temple.

Moving from the main worship area, I began walking around the perimeter of the Kuil Sri Mariamman temple, within the walls. I noticed some accommodation at the rear of the temple affixed to the temple grounds, so I guessed some people would be in there. Soon, an Indian man came out and made his way through the front gate. I remarked to him how beautiful the temple was. Then he was gone.

While I was snapping away, the sun began to emerge slowly from behind a large white cloud. The sun's rays beamed forward in all directions. The following picture became my lasting impression of the Kuil Sri Mariamman temple:

There was no guide, no activity going on at the Kuil Sri Mariamman temple in Kuantan on that day. But for a photographer, our keen eye is the real guide and I managed to pick up some lovely images as I explored the temple.

Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Kuantan

The Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple in the heart of Kuantan draws people in for its colours and numberless statues on its roofs. Situated near the fire station a stone's throw from the Darulmakmur Stadium, it is a sight to behold.

Every major religion under the Sun can be found in Malaysia. While we must admit that there are gently simmering hostilities between the religions, it is relatively peaceful and harmonious when compared with other plural society countries. It is not uncommon to find mosques, hindu temples, chinese temples and churches on the same street in Malaysia, and sometimes even lined up beside each other.

My visit to the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple was a different experience to my previous visits to the PAHANG STATE MOSQUE AND PAHANG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION and to the SIKH TEMPLE. The Pahang State Mosque is intricately designed with beautiful symmetrical patterns and graceful Arabic calligraphy adorning the walls. The Pahang Buddhist Association combines a temple containing a huge statue of Buddha with beautiful gardens and a lake. The Sikh temple was stunningly simple in design, with lovely carved wooden doors and glittering chandeliers. However, the one thing all these places had in common was reverent silence.

Here is the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Kuantan. Here there were bright colours in abundance. I even engaged in a conversation with an Indian woman who was there to clean the temple. We spoke at length about how I came to be in Kuantan and I was able to share with her my appreciation of the lovely temple we were in, my beliefs about God, a living prophet, and other Christian doctrines, which she received with humility. It was easy to share these things with her. Since we were in a hindu temple I related to her about our Christian temples and a little about the work that goes on there. From the Book of Mormon we read of former Christian missionaries: "and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them."

These curious little black stone statues were the most intriguing part of my visit to the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple. Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity to ask a few questions I had in mind to the Indian lady there.

'Sikh' and ye shall find

Sikhism is a relatively small religion in the world compared to the major faiths of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, especially in Malaysia. However, after a little 'sikhing' I came across the "Gurdwara Sahib Kuantan", which translates as "the house of God" in Punjabi. All Sikhs are well-versed in Punjabi from childhood so that they will be able to read and study the holy scriptures of Sikhism, called the "Guru Granth Sahib."

I entered this Sikh temple and didn't really feel out of place. It was clean and tidy and basic in its layout. It looked rather the same as the Sikh temple I had previously visited in Kuching, over on the island of Borneo. I was first met by these large wooden doors:

Upon entering I saw the familiar sight of the 'langgar' hall where meals are prepared and served.

I searched for any sign of human life, and eventually I poked my nose around a side door and saw a man with a long beard, watching the television with dazzling sunglasses attached to his face! He immediately stopped what he was doing and came to assist me. His English was very limited and my Punjabi is non-existent, so we struggled along with basic English and sign language throughout my brief tour of the Gurdwara Sahib Kuantan.

The prayer room was beautifully simple with nice chandeliers, and it was all bathed in the warm sunlight dashing through the windows. This room is situated on the first floor and I then went to the veranda to gaze at the view.

I found it interesting that the view from the balcony was a direct visualization of the Pahang State Mosque.

I took this lovely picture with the Indian man who was in charge of the Gurdwara Sahib Kuantan. I really can't remember his name; I didn't quite catch it when he first uttered it!

Here are a few views of the Sikh's beautiful Gurdwara Sahib Kuantan: