History of Sivan Temple, Gua Charas, Panching, Kuantan
According to historical accounts, the Sivalingam deity was first consecrated in 1952 by plantation workers in Panching. They began praying to a small Sivalingam statue in Gua Charas after a reclining Buddha statue was placed there in 1948 by a group of Buddhists led by a Thai monk. From 1955, small-scale prayers to Lord Sivalingam were held among the Indian community in the plantation area.
In the late 1980s, a lawyer and mountaineer named Mr. Jegadevan Nachitram from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, visited Gua Charas near the town of Panching, Pahang. While exploring, he learned about a Sivalingam statue near the reclining Buddha. After praying, he encountered an Indian priest in the cave who advised him to bring a larger Sivalingam statue from India to replace the smaller one. Mr. Jegadevan followed this advice and imported a 9-foot Sivalingam statue to Malaysia in late December 1989.
With the help of his friend Dr. C. Sethugavalar, a consultant in Kuantan, and several volunteers, the statue was consecrated in the cave on 14 January 1990.
Vinayagar Statue and Temple Committee
The idea to install a Vinayagar statue was suggested by Mrs. Annalakshumi Chinnadurai, sister of Dr. C. Sethugavalar. Both went to Klang to purchase the statue. According to Hindu beliefs, blessings must be sought before any religious ceremony. The consecration was officiated by YH Dato NT Rajah in 2005.
A committee was then formed to oversee temple matters. Dr. C. Sethugavalar was appointed as the Protem Committee President, and Mr. K. Balakrishnan as the Secretary of the Panching Malai Jalalingeswarar Thiruthalam.
Installation and Challenges
In January 1990, contractor Mr. T. Yogarajah, along with 25 workers from Indonesia and India, worked to transport the heavy 9-foot statue (several tons in weight) up a 150-foot hill. It took 15 days to move it 100 meters into position. The Sivalingam was consecrated facing north on 14 January 1990.
In early January 2007, Mr. K. Balakrishnan drafted a constitution for the temple, which was unanimously agreed upon by the committee. On 28 February 2008, the temple was officially registered under the Lingeswaran Hindu Devotees Organization (Panching Malai Jalalingeswarar Thiruthalam) with registration number PPM – 012 – 06 – 28022008.
Structural Additions and Donations
Several priests and experts helped construct the Brahmapaham for the Sivalingam. A larger Nandhi statue was ordered in April 2008, sponsored by Mr. Albert Ariminathan from Australia for RM 5,000. A Dewi Thayalnayaki Amman statue was also donated by Mr. K. Balakrishnan, Mr. NSK Krishnan, and Mr. M. Alahendran and family.
In late 2007, Ir Sivabalan, a devoted follower working in Kedah, had a dream of the Sivalingam in a cave on a mountain in Kuantan. After investigating, he confirmed Gua Charas was the location from his dream.
Infrastructure Development
In 2008, Mr. Yap Kannan donated RM 20,000 to help build a staircase to the cave. Ir Sivabalan, a civil engineer, proposed and constructed a staircase similar to the one at Batu Caves, costing RM 150,000, funded by himself and friends (Mr. Venudurai, Mr. Ravin, Mr. Appu, and Dato S. Selvarajoo).
The third Maha Kumbha Abhishekam was held on 8 June 2008, with over 40 buses of devotees attending. Roads were also improved to allow buggy access up to the reclining Buddha.
Continued Contributions
Thanks were extended to Tan Sri Selvarajoo Sinnaiyah for sponsoring the Thiruneeru Pattai ceremony on 18 December 2010, which cost RM 75,000. Mr. Suriakumaran (Australia) and Dato Viji also donated the Agasa Ganggal used in another ceremony on 28 December 2010.
Current Operations
The temple now employs a priest who performs daily pooja from 9 AM to 5 PM. Bi-monthly Pradosham ceremonies are held from 3 PM to 6 PM, with about 100 devotees attending on regular days and six buses worth of devotees during holidays and festivals.
Future Plans
A new accessible road—suitable for buggies—was built by Ir. Sivabalan and his associates at an estimated cost of RM 900,000.
The next proposed project is a cable car system from the base of Gua Charas to its summit (~420 meters), with a projected cost of RM 1.5 million, to assist elderly and less-abled devotees.
Prepared by:
K. Balakrishnan, AMP, PKC, PKT, PJK
President (2018–2020)