First Hindu Temple to be consecrated in Malaysia’s oil town Miri

Sri Kamini Thurga Iswari Amman Alayam in Miri (Sarawak, Malaysia), on the island of Borneo, will be consecrated on July 10 after seven-days of elaborate ancient rituals.

“Maha Kumbabishegam” at this Hindu temple will include various poojas, homams and other traditional religious ceremonies. Participants include Ghanaskanthiswarar Sarma Sivachariyar, Main Priest of Siga Gurukkal in Segamat (Johor); Kartik Gurukkal of Banting (Selangor); Temple Chairman Selvaraj Grapragasem, and many others.

Objectives of Miri Hindu Society behind this temple project include “Foster the spirit of devotion, dedication and worship". Besides worship services; this temple reportedly plans to host various cultural, religious, social and charitable activities; and celebrate festivals.

According to reports, about 1000 Hindus, including many professionals, reportedly reside in Miri area and Sarawak State Government has provided some funding for the temple. Executive Committee of the Society includes Chairman G. Selvaraj, Vice-chairman Narayanasamy, Secretary Anbalagan Krishnan and Treasurer Shubashini.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community for realizing this Hindu temple.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged the area petroleum and natural gas, timber processing, oil palm and shipbuilding industries to back the construction of this Hindu temple complex, which would be another feather in the cap of diverse Miri, incorporated 1933, which was among the Malaysia’s five busiest airports.

Rajan Zed further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Surrounded by five world-class national parks including Gunung Mulu, dynamic oil town of Miri is the birthplace of Malaysia's petroleum industry, and is known for San Ching Tian Taoist Temple, Petroleum Museum, exotic coral reefs and Hindu “Milk Pot Procession”. Prominent people associated with Miri include singer Zee Avi, football player Shaun Maloney, racing driver Natasha Seatter and golfer Vijay Singh.

Ancient temple ritual of Kumbhabhishekam is believed to synergize-unite-homogenize the mystic powers of the deity and it involves ritual bathing with sanctified sacred waters accompanied by chanting of appropriate mantras, thus transforming the deity statue into a vibrant representation of the God.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.