THE Vinayagar kovil (Ganesha temple) in Waterfall Road, Penang, has long served as the first point of prayer for devotees before ascending to the hilltop Murugan temple.
For decades this foothill shrine has been the place where worshippers make offerings to remove obstacles in their lives, before continuing their spiritual journey.
It was built in 1951 by the Hindu Mahajana Sangam, formed by Penang’s waterfront labourers.
Hindu devotees thronged the Ganesha temple during the recent Maha Kumbabishegam consecration ceremony to mark the completion of a major restoration.
From early morning, thousands of devotees, young and old, streamed in carrying puja trays and garlands as they made their way to the sanctum.
Inside the hall of the temple, priests performed fire rituals and chanted mantras.
Outside, priests climbed the scaffolding erected around the gopuram temple tower and other parts to pour theertham sacred water over the crowd during the ceremony.
As the holy shower rained down, devotees stretched out their hands to catch the droplets.
Some caught them in their palms and touched it to their foreheads, to symbolise renewal.
The consecration ceremony was then followed by a 48-day Mandala Abishegam of intensified daily worship.
Gallery
A temple volunteer pouring theertham sacred water over devotees.
Devotees offering prayers inside the temple.
Devotees receiving vibuthi (sacred ash) and kumkumam (sacred red powder) after prayers at the Ganesha temple.
Devotees step forward to receive vibuthi and kumkumam after the prayers at the Vinayagar temple.—CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Devotees reaching out for the sacred water as it rains down on them, the highlight of the ceremony at the Ganesha temple in Waterfall Road, Penang. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Devotees reach upward as consecrated water pours down from the gopuram, marking the high point of the ceremony.—CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
A priest with a tray of prayer offerings, watching the crowd below.
The crowd fills the temple grounds as priests continue the rituals from the scaffolding surrounding the gopuram.—CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
A priest performing a ritual before the newly anointed deity of Lord Ganesha inside the sanctum.
A priest performs a ritual before the newly anointed deity of Lord Ganesha inside the sanctum. —CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Priests performing a fire ritual during consecration rites inside the refurbished temple hall.
Priests carrying out a fire ritual during the consecration rites inside the refurbished temple hall.—CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
