Section 63: Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple

Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple, located in Jalan Meranti 6, Taman Meranti, Bahau was built in year 1904. It had witnessed the formation and growth of Bahau township over the past 119 years.

The origin of Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple Bahau

At that time, a British company established Berkeley Estate to plant peppers in Bukit Taisho. The person in charge recruited a large number of labourers from Tamil Nadu, southern Indian, to work in the pepper farm. Subsequently, these Indian migrant workers built the temple in the estate, which took up an area of 40 ft x 20 ft.

Muthu Mariamman Sami Pattu Ramani, the person in charge of the temple said that Mariamman was the incarnation of the snow-capped mountain goddess, also known as Amman, Aatha or Mari. It was said that its origin was before the Vedic period, and was prevalent in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in southern Indian. Eventually this belief spread to Sri Lanka and other southeast Asian countries. “Mari” means “rain”, while “Amman” means “mother”. The Goddess Mariamman was the patron saint of farmers and was deeply revered in South India.

Sami Pattu Ramani revealed that the disciples who worship Goddess Mariamman usually wish for sufficient rain and wealth. Once there is sufficient rain, crops would thrive bringing bountiful harvest, which

would bring along wealth. Legend has it that Goddess Mariamman treats smallpox, cholera, and chickenpox. This "role" of the goddess meets the needs of the agricultural society and rural residents then.

According to Hinduism, a temple has to have major renovation every twelve years. The first major renovation of the temple was in 1988. In 2012, the temple management decided to carry out the second major renovation. The funding for the renovation and expansion was mainly from donations of some politicians, disciples and businessmen. A total of Ringgit Malaysia 5.5 million was raised. All sculpture craftsmen and temple construction experts were hired from India. It took 18 years to renovate this majestic, solemn and yet dignified Hindu temple which stand high in Bahau. The renovation work had been completed and the reopening and deity placement ceremony was scheduled in August 2021. But, due to Covid 19 Pandemic movement control order in the country, the ceremony was postponed to 9th September 2022.

This majestic temple covers an area of 1.8 acres. It is a three-storey building. The statues of various gods and sacred beasts in the temple are intricately carved, colorful and lifelike. The worship and Zen halls are dignified. The left side of the East Gate is the kitchen which prepares food offered to the divine gods. Architecturally, the roof is rhombic in shape, and the wooden door is covered with small bells. In Hinduism, the rhombic roof attracts the positive energy of the universe; and the “aum” sound made by bells that are hung on the door generate positive energy which kills harmful bacteria and viruses. The Hindu sect believe in “Feng Shui” (Chinese geomancy) too. All architectural works and furnishings of the temples are designed in accordance with the Indian astrological zodiac (Vasus).

Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple in Bahau is not only used for religious purposes, it also plays a social role. There are tuition rooms for students, a lecture hall, a multi-purpose auditorium, a library and a total of 8 dormitories. Numerous courses, education and cultural training are held in the temple every year. The temple provides marriage registration services too. The temple authorities also provide up to 100 packs of food for the needy every week.

The predecessors not only built temples, but also built Tamil schools for the locals. The school license they obtained was once borrowed by Bahau Estate, St. Aidan's Primary School in Bahau, and also by the Kuala Lumpur Public School to set up their respective school. However, it was a pity that this Tamil school license got lost over the past decades.

Sami Pattu Ramani and his family reside in the temple. His wife aids in worship affairs. They have six children, all of whom are devout Hindus and work hard to pursue their own aspects of life: the eldest son is a doctor, the second son is currently an accounting student, the youngest son is a secondary school student; the eldest daughter is a pharmacist, the second daughter is an accountant, and the youngest daughter is a 4th-year medical student at a local university. Although they have a tight schedule with their personal life, they devoted time to serve in the temple.

Temple where he was accustomed with. Since then, he has served in the temple for 36 years. In 2012, he was appointed to lead the major renovation project for the temple. The Renovation Committee consisted of 22 members, two auditors and a consultant.

The current temple host, Sami Pattu Ramani,60 years old, was born in Bahau. He is an alumnus of Bahau St. Aiden Elementary School and Bahau Datuk Mansur Secondary School. After completing his secondary school, he moved to Kuala Lumpur to further his studies. As a teenager, he yearned for religious knowledge. With the support and blessing of his parents, he set off to India for a systematic learning and to explore further his faith. Five years later, hereturned from his studies and immediately went back to his hometown to serve in the Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman

On November 25, 2021, a group of us was led by Ho Mui Moi, Chairman of the Chi Wen School (Bahau) Alumni Association, Selangor and KL, to pay a visit to Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple in Bahau. We were deeply moved by the warmth hospitality from temple's host Sami Pattu Ramani who also patiently explained to us all the enquiry in regards to the temple.

The opening and placement of deity ceremony was held on 9th September 2022. Thousands of people attended the event and the entire commercial area of Taman Meranti was crowded with the devotees. The local authorities such as the police, City Council, public bureau and all other relevant government departments offered full support and assistance. To further ensure that the activities be carried out smoothly, part of Jalan Juasseh was blocked for two and a half hours on that day.

Today, this historic temple not only plays the role of a religious place of worship, it also becomes a must-visit place in Bahau.