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| Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple (Vinayagar Temple) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Deity | Ganesha |
| Location | |
| Location | Jalan Tukang Emas |
| State | Malacca |
| Country | Malaysia |
  Location in Malaysia | |
| Geographic coordinates | 2°12′20″N102°14′33″E / 2.205575°N 102.242448°E /2.205575; 102.242448 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Chitty style simplifiedDravidian architecture |
| Creator | Thaivanayagam Chitty |
| Completed | 1781 |
Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple is the oldest existing/intactHindu temple inMalaysia and one of the oldest functioningHindu temples inMaritime Southeast Asia.[1] Located in the state ofMalacca, the temple is one of the few existingChitty temples inMalaysia.
The temple is situated on Jalan Tukang Emas, also known as "Harmony Street" because of its proximity to theKampung Kling Mosque andCheng Hoon Teng Temple.
The temple was built byThavinayagar Chitty, the leader of the Chitty people, in 1781 after the Dutch colonial government ofMalacca gave him a plot of land. The temple is dedicated toVinayagar orGanesha, the elephant deity.[2] In the back room is a sculpture of the deity with the head of an elephant and the body of a man with four hands. There is another altar dedicated toLord Muruga, the younger brother ofLord Vinayagar.[2]
The Dutch colonial government inMalacca granted the Chitty community a piece of land, which they built the temple in 1781.[3] The land was located at Goldsmith Street, now known as Jalan Tokong, bearing Lot No. 62 Town Area XIU and measuring 15,879 square feet (1,475.2 m2) for the purpose of setting up a Hindu temple.[1] The temple was built up in the year 1781 according to the date mentioned in the Dutch grant (freehold title).[1] The temple was under the trusteeship of the late Mr. Thaivanayagam Chitty, who was then a leader of theChitty community.
The simplification of culture and customs can be seen at the Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple.[citation needed] Distinct from theSouth Indian temples, which have a complexDravidian Architecture in thePallava style, which displays carved out sculptures of theHindu gods in many rows, the Chitty temple tend to only have one row, or a picture of one single god in each of the three rows, as evidenced in the Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple.[citation needed]
The 'Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple', although the property of the “Malacca Chetti or Chetti of Malacca”, has been managed by the 'Malacca Nagarathar Nattukkottai Chettiar' for more than 20 years through an agreement (since 1962) made between them because the British colonial government prior toMalaysian independence that refused to allow the chettiar group to put up anotherHindu temple of their own in theMalacca Town area.[1] The temple was built in the year 1781 according to the date mentioned in the Dutch grant (freehold title).[1]
The MalaccaChittys observe rituals, festivals and ceremonies, such asThai Pongal, Madhu Pongal for those who rear cows, Kani Pongal especially for maidens,Deepavali, putting 'Kolams' and flowers during the month of Margali on the doorsteps, Kelemays Sarasvathi (Ahyutha poojas),Sivarathri, Egadesi, Amman Thiruviza, carrying of theKavadis during the months ofThaipusam, Masimagam, Sithrai, Panguni Utharam, Adi matham prayers and the taking out of the Rathams (Religious Chariots) in procession for some festivals.[citation needed]
There are three Rathams made of wood with lovely carvings of Indian Deities, and dating back some 200 years.[1] The Rathams are maintained in good condition and kept in the temple grounds. One Ratham is forLord Ganesha, one for Lord Subramaniar Swamy, and one for Lord Rama Swamy. They are used during festive seasons drawn by bullocks and are lighted with decorative lamps making them look beautiful at night.[citation needed]
The 'Sri Muthu Mariamman Thiruvizha' festival during the Sitrai matham (April/May) is major celebration among theChitty diaspora who are currently spread overMalaysia andSingapore.[1]
