On on the thirty fourth day they went to the Amrulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple.
Wife and I have seen more than our fair share of temples, shrines, cathedrals, etc. But the Glass Temple was something extraordinary. As is so often the case in our travels, we see something listed somewhere, visit, and only afterwards research what the heck it is all about. That was certainly the case here. The actual story of how it has come to be in just the most recent period is fascinating. It is quite long and I have copied it and put it at the bottom of the post for those who are interested.
When dealing with a subject like this from and amateur photographic and blogging standpoint, the challenge (as you will see) is how do you limit the number of perspectives and views you include. When virtually every part of your subject is shining and reflecting, you have the te est of restraint. How do you limit what you shoot to get across the wonder and not overwhelm. Whether, I have passed this test or not, please remember that the your votes count towards your being our guest at the annual de-I Sandia Outfitters Ultra Marathon.
I Attempt to Shoot the Glass Temple
From the exterior, not necessarily very impressive
But once in...
There were rumors that the Viking Expeditionary Force from Sweden had tried to raid the Temple. Horrors!
Sadly despite my being a follower of a somewhat Hindu based spiritual path, my knowledge of the Hindu god and goddess pantheon is pretty pathetic
I do know the elephant head ones are Ganesh. You pray to him for prosperity.
I'm pretty sure these are versions of Shiva
Kali the Destroyer? (I've always loved Kali...big Kali the Destroyer fan)
Hanuman?
Once we were done with the Glass Temple, we decided to make for the former Kota Jail. This is a building that is reputed to have been transformed into a site with galleries, exhibits, and shops.
Yup. Looks like a jail
Unfortunately, there seems to have been a mix up in tenses as this was clearly going to be a place with shops, galleries and exhibits. At the moment it was mostly just still a jail.
We heard rumor that the authorities had captured one of the VEFS marauders and were incarcerating her. Yikes! There she is being brought in.
She tries to put a good face on becoming property of the Kota Jail
But the reality soon sets in
Let us all reflect on the frailty of life
And understand as Shiva teaches us, it is really just a game
Meanwhile after a long hard day in the hot sun, it was recognized the April is the birthday month of both our beloved Wife and her youngest granddaughter, 3.2. It was decided to celebrate early.
About the Glass Temple
The Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple in Johor Bahru is the world's first Hindu temple constructed primarily of glass. While its history dates back to 1922 when it began as a simple shelter on land gifted by the Sultan of Johor, its modern transformation into a glass masterpiece occurred between 2008 and 2009.
Conceptualization
The vision for the glass temple came from its current chairman and chief priest, Sri Sinnathamby Sivasamy (also known as Guru Bhagawan Sittar).
- Inspiration in Bangkok: During a trip to Thailand, the Guru was riding in a tuk-tuk when he was struck by a brilliant, diamond-like light reflecting from a distance.
- The Catalyst: Upon investigation, he discovered the light was reflecting off small glass artwork at a temple (wat) entrance.
- Purpose: Impressed by how such a small piece could capture attention from kilometers away, he conceptualized a temple fully embellished in glass to attract both devotees and global visitors.
Design Elements
The temple's design blends traditional Hindu architectural elements with modern materials to promote a message of universal harmony.
- Glass Mosaic: Approximately 90% to 95% of the interior—including walls, pillars, and ceilings—is covered in a mosaic of over 300,000 pieces of multicolored glass.
- Interfaith Inclusion: The design features 10 white marble statues of figures from various faiths, including Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Guru Nanak, and Mother Teresa, reflecting the Guru’s belief that they are all messengers of God.
- The Cycle of Life: Near the ceiling, 10 gold-finished sculptures depict the stages of human life from birth to death.
- Symbolic Murals: Ceiling murals portray racial harmony in Malaysia, such as scenes of different races helping one another after an accident.
Construction Details
The transformation of the temple into its current form was a massive undertaking that cost over RM 2 million.
- Materials: High-quality stained glass mirrors were imported from Thailand, Japan, and Belgium.
- Craftsmanship: The intricate glasswork was executed by a team of nine Myanmese craftsmen.
- Athma Lingam Sanctuary: A unique feature of the construction is the sanctuary wall covered in 300,000 Mukhi Rudraksha beads from Nepal. During construction, each bead was individually embedded while believers chanted a Shiva mantra to create a "spiritual vibration".
- Modern Amenities: Unlike traditional temples, the structure is fully air-conditioned and features crystal chandeliers that enhance the reflective play of light.
