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Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak
Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Sri Subramaniar Temple is carved into the limestone caverns of Gunung Cheroh, a 400-million-year karst outcrop rising behind Ipoh’s old town, beloved for its Cave Vel shrine, iconography of Murugan’s Valli Deivayanai wedding, and the poignant memory of the 1973 cave collapse that killed 42 schoolchildren and devotees during a festival, prompting seismic retrofits, geological monitoring, and creation of an outdoor hilltop sanctuary ([1][2]). The temple now opens 6:00 AM-9:00 PM with five daily pujas, weekly Vel Pooja, and kavadi vow ceremonies for Thaipusam. Devotees climb 246 steps to the hill shrine or enter the cave sanctum via a reinforced concrete portal and boardwalk suspended above limestone boulders; new LED systems highlight stalactites while maintaining bat habitat. The temple’s precinct includes a multi-purpose hall, community kitchen, disaster memorial garden, counselling suites, Tamil class centre, and biodiversity corridor connecting to Kinta Valley Geopark. Annual Thaipusam draws 30,000 kavadi bearers, supported by Ipoh City Council, NGOs, rope access rescue teams, cave scientists, and sustainability volunteers managing waste, hydration, and logistic shelters. Digital monitoring (geophones, crack meters, humidity sensors) feeds into a control room ensuring safety without diminishing sacred ambience ([1][3]).
Year Built
1890 CE
Period
Colonial Period
Architectural Style
Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum
Built By
Early Tamil Estate Workers and Ipoh Hindu Association
Material Used
Limestone, Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Steel, Timber, Lime Plaster, Copper Kalashas
Heritage Status
Part of Kinta Valley Geopark interpretive network; heritage-listed by Ipoh City Council
Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak
Sri Subramaniar Temple is carved into the limestone caverns of Gunung Cheroh, a 400-million-year karst outcrop rising behind Ipoh’s old town, beloved for its Cave Vel shrine, iconography of Murugan’s Valli Deivayanai wedding, and the poignant memory of the 1973 cave collapse that killed 42 schoolchildren and devotees during a festival, prompting seismic retrofits, geological monitoring, and creation of an outdoor hilltop sanctuary ([1][2]). The temple now opens 6:00 AM-9:00 PM with five daily pujas, weekly Vel Pooja, and kavadi vow ceremonies for Thaipusam. Devotees climb 246 steps to the hill shrine or enter the cave sanctum via a reinforced concrete portal and boardwalk suspended above limestone boulders; new LED systems highlight stalactites while maintaining bat habitat. The temple’s precinct includes a multi-purpose hall, community kitchen, disaster memorial garden, counselling suites, Tamil class centre, and biodiversity corridor connecting to Kinta Valley Geopark. Annual Thaipusam draws 30,000 kavadi bearers, supported by Ipoh City Council, NGOs, rope access rescue teams, cave scientists, and sustainability volunteers managing waste, hydration, and logistic shelters. Digital monitoring (geophones, crack meters, humidity sensors) feeds into a control room ensuring safety without diminishing sacred ambience ([1][3]).
Location
Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia(Perak)
Year Built
1890 CE
Heritage Status
Part of Kinta Valley Geopark interpretive network; heritage-listed by Ipoh City Council
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 6:00 AM-9:00 PM; guided cave tours weekends 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM; memorial service every 18 October; annadhanam daily 12:30 PM; counselling Thu evenings.
Entry Fee
Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; memorial gallery RM5; photography permit RM10 inside cave; parking RM4.
Website
https://www.ipohmurugan.org/Citation References
Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh
Ipoh Hindu Devasthana Paripalana SabahAccessed 2025-11-09
Remembering Gunung Cheroh 1973
New Straits TimesAccessed 2025-11-09
Geotechnical Monitoring Report for Gunung Cheroh Temple
Department of Minerals and Geoscience MalaysiaAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Part of Kinta Valley Geopark interpretive network; heritage-listed by Ipoh City Council
Preservation Status
Good; 2023 geotechnical report confirms stable cave conditions with ongoing monitoring; surfaces clean, lighting functional; restoration continuing for weathered statues.
Historical Context
Temple established late 1800s; cave sanctum expanded 1936. 1973 tragedy triggered major rebuild with structural reinforcement and memorial. 1990s walkway improvements; 2001 gopuram built. After 2016 geotechnical review, sensors and monitoring installed. Temple now part of Kinta Valley Geopark narrative and trains volunteers in cave safety.
Architectural Details
Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum
Colonial Period
Built by
Early Tamil Estate Workers and Ipoh Hindu Association
Materials
Limestone, Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Steel, Timber, Lime Plaster, Copper Kalashas
Dimensions
Height25m
Width40m
Length80m
Area4500m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
1973-1977 reconstruction; 1992 walkway upgrade; 2001 gopuram; 2016-2017 geotechnical retrofit; 2020 sensor integration; 2022 LED upgrade; 2023 memorial garden restoration.
Patronage
Ipoh Hindu Devasthana Paripalana Sabah
Construction Technique
The cave shrine relies on limestone walls and stalactites; post-1973 reconstruction installed reinforced concrete arches, shotcrete, soil nails, and rock bolts to stabilise the cavern while maintaining natural forms. A suspended steel walkway with fiberglass grating crosses the cave floor. The hilltop shrine uses reinforced concrete frames clad in granite. Staircases of reinforced concrete and granite lead through the forest, with steel cable railings. LED lighting uses low heat to protect cave ecology. In 2017, additional rock bolts and tension cables were added after geological surveys; 2020 retrofit introduced fiber optic crack sensors.
Architectural Influences
4 items
Building Techniques
Construction involved rock bolting, shotcrete, stainless anchors, suspended walkways, modular staging for festivals, and geotechnical monitoring. Conservation teams use photogrammetry, laser scanning, and seismographs to track limestone stability. Interpretive panels educate visitors on geology and the 1973 tragedy. Rain shelters and rainwater harvesting installed along stairways.
Coordinates
4.603500, 101.099100
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Steep stairs and cave floors require caution; safety briefings provided; medical posts during festivals; carry flashlight for extra cave exploration; no high heels.","restrooms":"Restrooms at base and cave entrance; filtered water; tented rest areas; baby-care area near hall.","wheelchair_accessible":"Base complex accessible; cave and hill shrine not fully accessible; virtual tours available; volunteers assist partial mobility visitors."}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit early morning for serenity; Thaipusam for kavadi processions; memorial day (18 Oct) for remembrance service; evening for illuminated cave and hillside breeze.
Seasonal Events
8 items
Visitor Restrictions
Wear sturdy shoes; respect safety zones; no littering; do not feed bats; photography permitted with care; heed ranger instructions; no meat or alcohol within precinct.
View Count
2
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:46:38.710543+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T13:08:09.31+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InColonial Period
📍
LocationPerak
🏛️
StyleDravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak?
Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak is a historic Temple located in Perak, Malaysia. This Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum architectural masterpiece was built during the Colonial Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Malaysia. Sri Subramaniar Temple is carved into the limestone caverns of Gunung Cheroh, a 400-million-year karst outcrop rising behind Ipoh’s old town, beloved for its Cave Vel shrine, iconography of Murugan’s ...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, PerakPeriod:
Colonial PeriodStyle:
Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop SanctumKey Features of Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak
- 1Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Limestone, Granite, Reinforced Concrete, Steel, Timber, Lime Plaster, Copper Kalashas, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The cave shrine relies on limestone walls and stalactites; post-1973 reconstruction installed reinforced concrete arches, shotcrete, soil nails, and rock bolts to stabilise the cavern while maintaining natural forms. A suspended steel walkway with fiberglass grating crosses the cave floor. The hilltop shrine uses reinforced concrete frames clad in granite. Staircases of reinforced concrete and granite lead through the forest, with steel cable railings. LED lighting uses low heat to protect cave ecology. In 2017, additional rock bolts and tension cables were added after geological surveys; 2020 retrofit introduced fiber optic crack sensors. construction methods
- 4Part of Kinta Valley Geopark interpretive network; heritage-listed by Ipoh City Council providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Early Tamil Estate Workers and Ipoh Hindu Association, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Good; cave stable, monitoring functioning, walkways maintained; memorial garden flourishing; all systems operational.
Architectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
What Makes Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Dravidian Cave Temple with Hilltop Sanctum architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Early Tamil Estate Workers and Ipoh Hindu Association, reflecting historical significance
- 3Temple exemplifies karst cave adaptation, memorialising tragedy while fostering safe pilgrimage; important compendium of Murugan iconography and local geology.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak
| RMEntry Fee | Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; memorial gallery RM5; photography permit RM10 inside cave; parking RM4. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak is located in Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, Perak. The nearest major city is Jalan Raja Musa Aziz. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 4.6035, 101.0991.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; memorial gallery RM5; photography permit RM10 inside cave; parking RM4.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Colonial Period
Construction of Sri Subramaniar Temple Gunung Cheroh Ipoh Perak by Early Tamil Estate Workers and Ipoh Hindu Association
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Part of Kinta Valley Geopark interpretive network; heritage-listed by Ipoh City Council
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation