The Temple

The Temple is built in strict conformance to the prescriptions of sacred Hindu Vedas and Aagamas. For example, the layout of the Temple integrates three concentric corridors which serve to guide devotees in a tranquil procession that culminates in the Main Moolasthanam (sanctum sanctorum).

Amongst its other unique features is a strikingly conceived island which has adopted a rare sculptural technique known as Thundu Pattirippu Pathroba Pathram. This fine and delicate technique is customarily not employed in current temple construction, even in India, due to its high degree of complexity, and, was inspired by the shrine of Sri Subramanyar in the Bragatheeswarar Temple Complex (Peria Kovil) in Tanjore, South India.

Helmed by the iconic Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Shivachariyaar, a renowned national and regional spiritual and religious Hindu leader, the Sri Shakti Temple is not just another place of worship, but one that will stand as a prominent Hindu landmark in Malaysia.

Its History in Brief

Indian immigrants came to Malaya, as it was then known, to work as labourers in rubber estates and in the development of public utilities and infrastructure. As it is the belief of Hindus that they should not reside in places where there are no temples, these immigrants inevitably built temples in the areas where they settled.

Accordingly, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, the underprivileged Indian immigrants in Bukit Rotan constructed a small wooden shrine which housed a single oil lamp as their place of worship. Thus was the origin of our Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, now known as the Sri Shakti Dhevasthanam in Bukit Rotan.

As the lifestyle and economic status of the devotees improved, a proper temple was constructed in 1970. Following some minor renovations in 1974, a beautiful new statue of Goddess Shakti Mari Amman was installed. To date, it is this very same Mother Shakti Mari Amman who presides over the Temple.

Many years later, the Temple Management Committee was made aware that the North-facing temple facade should in fact face the East in conformance to Aagamic scriptures. Earnest efforts were carried out to raise the necessary funds to renovate the Temple to rectify this error.

One such fundraising effort was a Sri Sooktha Maha Yaagam – the first yaagam in Malaysia to be performed in such magnitude and grandeur! Conducted in 1991, the Sri Sooktha Maha Yaagam which took place over 48 days witnessed the participation of Hindus from across the nation. By the Grace of Mother Shakti Mari Amman, the yaagam raised sufficient funds to allow for the commencement of the renovation works. Applications were duly made to the authorities for approval to renovate the temple. However, the building approval was unexpectedly denied as it came to light that the Government had earmarked a large tract of the temple’s land to be utilised for new road extensions.

The Temple Management Committee immediately set about finding a suitable alternative site and after eight prolonged years, the reason behind the initial complication was revealed – for Mother Shakti Mari Amman in Her benevolence saw fit to bestow an even more ideal parcel of land for the construction of Her new temple!

Upon acquiring the necessary approvals, plans for the new temple were drawn up in the year 2000 under the guidance of Sirpa Aagama Kalaamani Sri Suppiah Stabathi, the Resident Temple Architect of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedham in India. Leaving nothing to chance, all construction plans were then taken to India to be blessed by various venerable and holy sages.

Finally, late in the year of 2001, approval for the construction of the new temple was granted by the relevant authorities. Deciding that this was a propitious opportunity, the Temple Management Committee resolved to build a temple that strictly adhered to our ancient Aagamas and other Hindu scriptures. As such, as prescribed in our ancient scriptures, religious rituals which precede the construction of a new temple were duly conducted even prior to the laying of the first brick.

And so it transpired that after approximately 1.2 million man hours, 10 million bricks, 20,000 tonnes of steel bars, 1,500 cubic metres of concrete, 100 tonnes of granite and 25 tonnes of teakwood, this devoted labour of love finally came into fruition.

On 25th April 2013, a Punaravarthana, Swarnabanthana, Ashtabanthana, Triya, Trimsat, Uttama Patcha, Prathista Consecration Ceremony was performed with great pomp and pageantry. With the blessings of His Holiness Jagatguru Sri Sankarachaariyar Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedham, and, in the presence of His Holiness Sri Om Shakti Narayani Amma from Sri Narayani Siddhar Peedham, Golden Temple Vellore, the auspicious Consecration Ceremony was concluded.

Brought to life as a result of Shivasri A. P. Muthukumara Shivachariyaar’s vision and the unwavering support of many generous souls, Sri Shakti Dhevasthanam Bukit Rotan stands proudly as a fitting monument to all our efforts.

This is our legacy to our community and descendents.
Let us be proud of our Hindu heritage!