PHT Newsletter Issue 94

Site Visit Report
Gandhiji Ashram

By Magdeline

The group of 35 PHT members and friends attending this site visit on 5th October was welcomed by Mr Nelamegam Malaraja, President of Hindu Mahajana Sangam and also a member of PHT. The Sangam, formed by the early Indian Weld Quay waterfront workers and settlers in 1935, played an integral part in the lives of the Hindu population of Penang. The Indian workers founded the Sri Mariamman Temple in Queen Street in 1833. The waterfront provided work opportunities for them and the entrepot trade attracted other Indian merchants into this part of the world as they established flourishing businesses in the "Little India" area.

In 1948 a condolence gathering was held in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated that year in India; hence Gandhiji Ashram was named. It is a heritage building/religious retreat in the Waterfall temple compound maintained by the Sangam for the celebration of the Thaipusam and Chitrapournami festivals. During these festivals volunteers provide free vegetarian lunch to all devotees and accommodation for outstation estate workers. Chitrapournami is a festival celebrating the full moon day of the Hindu New Year and is marked by the pulling of a chariot which is housed in a building beside the Ashram. On normal days, the Ashram is used to run religious classes, bajan classes, yoga, talks and performances. Mr Nelamegan mentioned that Dr M.K. Menon, a City Councilor, had dedicated his life to community work and played an important role in the early years of the Ashram.

After the briefing by Mr Nelamegan, we were taken on a tour of the compound. The most significant structure in the Waterfall temple compound is the two 'cylinder' black containers. Mr Chandra, a committee member, told us that they are used to store the milk used for prayers at Hilltop Murugan Temple. The milk is collected by Waste Water Treatment Authorities engaged by the Hindu Endowment Board in order to prevent the milk from polluting the drains and rivers. The Lord Murugan Temple at Hilltop, built in the late 1850s, consists of a main brick building with a sanctum for the deity Lord Muruga with a small dome on top. Beautification, landscaping and extension work for the new Hilltop Murugan Temple is underway and expected to be completed by 2010. The Building Committee Chairman is Dato' R. Rajasingam, a prominent lawyer. The Sri Ganeshar Temple, formerly a shrine, was built in 1951. It has been rebuilt twice by the temple committee since the 1970s and is known as Arulmigu Sri Ganeshar Temple under the Hindu Endowment Board.

Dato' Anwar Fazal, who led PHT group, suggested that since the Committee is looking into the restoration of the Gandhiji Ashram roof and replacement of the asbestos by terracotta tiles, perhaps the Sangam can work with PHT on this. He also suggested some activities for the Ashram in future, such as a peace camp for youth, a learning centre and a heritage trail within the compound.