Cheruk Tok Kun Relics

A shed to protect the relics

The boulder inside the shed

Cheruk Tok Kun Relics is in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. It is located at the compound of the St. Anne's Church, Bukit Mertajam. The relics is a large granite boulder with carved inscription on it. The carving is believed to be the southernmost inscription found in this region. If Bujang Valley is Kingdoms are recorded as early as  2nd or 3rd century, Cheruk Tok Kun is carving is probably latter than that. The boulder was gazetted by Malaysian government on 1973. 

Inscription on the boulder

According to Dr Jayabarathi (renowned researcher in Malaysia), this inscription was probably carved around the 5th - 6th centuries.The script is Pre-Pallava and the language is Sanskrit. The inscriptions speaks about 'Thus vanquish, the enemies of King Ramaunnibha'.  

The Southeast Asian Archaeological Blog verifies that there are seven inscriptions all together on the boulder. One of the inscriptions translates as 'pratame vayasi' or in the time of youth. But the other  inscriptions that yet be translated.

St Anne Church, Bukit Mertajam

Arulmigu Bala Thandayuthapani Hilltop Waterfall temple, Penang

Original waterfall temple

The original temple was located within the ground of Penang Botanical gardens. A sadhu (holy man) has chose a spot close to the waterfall (see picture) to build a temple for Murugan around mid of 18th century. It was called as Tanneer malayaan temple. The early Tamil traders, merchants-bankers and moneylenders (Chettiars) and laborers (ferried water to Georgetown) are the devotees of the temple. Since 1800 the temple shrine become the centre for Thaipusam celebration. But, in 1850 the temple was replaced with a new one, when the Penang population swelled drastically and the need for clean water increased. British government  planned to build a reservoir and the site is reserved.  

Now, the temple is in a restricted area controlled by Penang Water Board. Every Thaipusam celebrations the temple committee members with the priest will have a special prayers at the temple and five pots of water will be carried from the waterfall for Abishegam to Lord Muruga and the presiding deities of the old temple.  

 Old temple

The old Thandayuthapani temple was dates from 1850. The British Government has offered an eleven acre land on hillside to build a new temple at the hillside.  A temple was built in a new site (see picture) with name Waterfall temple. Thaipusam celebration was continued. It draws a huge crowd year after year. Though it has undergone renovations in every 12 years cycles (punarutharanam), according to Agamas, the temple site was too small and unable to handle the devotees needs and welfare. Besides Thaipusam, the devotees also increased in number during Chitra Pournami, Kanda Sasti, Karthigai, Adi Pournami festivals. A new temple site was planned to accommodate the increasing number of devotees (estimated up to 700,000 visitors at a time).

New waterfall Hilltop temple

The new site was located at the top of the hill. One has to climb 511 steps - leading from the foothills to reach the temple. The world renowned temple architect  and vaastu expert Dr V. Ganapathy Stapathi was consulted in building the temple. Skilled Indian craftsmen were brought to complete the temple structure according to the temple Agamas. Now, it stands magnificently -  with 21.6m tall raja gopuram (equal to seven storeys building) and 20, 000 sq ft hall (maha mandapam).  It temple interior and exterior was ornately adorned with intricate south Indian architecture. The temple pillars feature the 14th and 15th century Chola and Pallava kingdoms temple designs. The Maha kumbhabishegam or consecration ceremony was done on 29th June 2012. 

maha mandapam

Bujang Valley

Ancient Kedah, known as Kadaram, is believed to be existed before 5th century A.D. It also being claimed to be older than Sri Vijaya Kingdom (centred in Palembang), Majapahit (centred in Java) and Angkor Wat (centred in Cambodia).

Kadaram was situated between two great civilization, India and China. It was a  maritime trade route between these two civilizations. The south Indian Kingdoms such as Pandya, Chola and Pallava, traded and culturally colonised South East Asia at that time (1st to 13th century C.E.). Thus Indian cultural and political models and Indian religion were adopted. Infact, the whole Southeast Asia was Indianized. It was called Greater India.

About 3rd century C.E., there were many Indianized Kingdoms such as (Funan, Champa dan Kemboja in Indo-China, Sri Vijaya in Palembang, Majapahit in Java, Pan Pan, Tambralinga, Langkasuka, Chih Tu, Tun Tun, Takola, Kadaram (Bujang Valley) Kuala Selingsi and Gangga Nagara in Malay Peninsula).

Bujang Valley  derives its name from Sanskrit  word Bujanga means serpent or a dragon. It probably referred to the  majestic Merbok river. In ancient time, since the South Indian kingdoms were Tamils, the place was called as Kadaram. Tamil literatures mentioned  the place as kalagam, kadaram, kidaram and kataha.

Kadaram was a foremost and prominent maritime kingdoms of the times. One of Rajendra Chola's (1014-1044 C.E.) titles was 'Kadaram Kondan' shows the greatness of the Kingdom.  One of the town in his Kingdom was Kadaramkonda Cholapuram. Even a Sivan Temple was named Kadaram Konda Cholaeswaram.

Till today, one can see how the Indian cultural, political and religious customs were adopted assimilated in the locals here. From the palace ceremonies, to the laymen daily life practices, belief systems, rituals, music, art, language, literature etc. shows the acculturation impulses and creations from India.