The sri sundararaja Perumal Temple is the largest Vaishnavite temple in malaysia, dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. — KK sham /The star
KLANG’S diverse communities have shaped the city into a hub of cultural and spiritual heritage, boasting numerous places of worship, some unique to the area.
Alongside its many mosques, Hindu temples and Taoist shrines, Klang is also home to Buddhist temples, churches and Gurdwara Sahibs.
Notable places of worship in Klang include the Sultan Sulaiman Royal Mosque, which opened in 1933; the historic Indian Muslim Mosque on Jalan Tengku Kelana, a century-old structure that replicates Muslim architecture in South India; the Kuan Yin Temple, which is over a century old, serving as a worship point for Klang’s Hokkien community; Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, the country’s first granite temple; and the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The newly inaugurated Klang Chinese Muslim Jamek Mosque is currently a top attraction in the city, featuring a stunning traditional Chinese Muslim three-tier pagoda with a distinctive grey roof.
The mosque’s architecture draws inspiration from the Great Mosque of Xi’an in China, with Chinese Muslim calligraphy featured as an attraction throughout the premises.
Chinese calligraphy has been seamlessly incorporated into the design of the prayer hall and other areas within the mosque.
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes features glass panels sourced from Sime Darby Medical Centre in Subang Jaya, believed to depict apparitions of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, St Anne’s Church in Port Klang serves as an alternative venue for the annual St Anne’s feast, offering a closer option for those unable to travel to the renowned St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, for the celebrations.
One of the most unique and interesting temples is Kai Hong Hoo, the only temple in Malaysia dedicated to Justice Bao, the renowned judge from China’s Song Dynasty.
The more than a century-old Indian Muslim Mosque in Jalan Tengku Kelana was built by Indian Muslims who came from Tamil Nadu, India, and sermons there are held in Tamil.
chinese muslim calligraphy is artfully showcased throughout the Klang chinese muslim Jamek mosque. — IZZraFIQ aLIas/The star
Busloads of Hindu devotees from all over the country also throng the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, known as the Thirupathi of South-East Asia.
Being a prominent Vaishnavite temple in the region, with a shrine dedicated to Lord Saturn, the premise is exceptionally busy on Saturdays as devotees come to pay homage to the deity.
The over-a-century-old Kuan Im Teng Temple, near Simpang Lima, is a busy place during the full moon and other festivals significant to the Hokkien community.
The temple was almost demolished due to severe termite infestation many years ago but was saved by the timely intervention of the Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who ordered that the original structure be preserved as part of Klang’s historical legacy.
