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Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor
Jalan Bukit Jawa, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, affectionately dubbed “Temple of a Thousand Pillars,” is Malaysia’s premier Vaishnavite shrine, established in 1892 by South Indian Chettiars and rebuilt 1919 with granite columns, mural-clad mandapas, and a 21-metre rajagopuram along Klang’s royal bukit ([1][2]). The complex opens 5:30 AM-9:30 PM offering six kala pujas, daily suprabhatham, weekly Sudarsana homa, and continuous annadhanam; special sevas like Tirumanjanam and Garuda Vahana Utsavam fill the Vaikunta month. Festival highlights include Vaikunta Ekadasi, Chitrai Brahmotsavam, Deepavali, and an annual Theppotsavam (float festival) along the royal river, engaging 30,000 devotees, 1,200 volunteers, and a digital command centre interfacing with Klang Municipal Council for crowd, sanitation, and traffic management. Facilities include a wedding hall, Vaishnava library, Nalayira Divya Prabandham archive, counselling and legal aid suites, youth hostel, and relief warehouse used during floods. The temple’s vaibhavam extends beyond rituals: it shelters marginalised families, coordinates blood drives, provides tuition classes, and serves as Klang Indian Congress’s civic hub ([1][3]).
Year Built
1892 CE
Period
Colonial Period
Architectural Style
Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars
Built By
Nattukottai Chettiar Community
Material Used
Granite, Brickwork, Reinforced Concrete, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Timber, Copper Kalashas, Ceramic Tile
Heritage Status
National Heritage Site (2012); Klang heritage tourism anchor
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, affectionately dubbed “Temple of a Thousand Pillars,” is Malaysia’s premier Vaishnavite shrine, established in 1892 by South Indian Chettiars and rebuilt 1919 with granite columns, mural-clad mandapas, and a 21-metre rajagopuram along Klang’s royal bukit ([1][2]). The complex opens 5:30 AM-9:30 PM offering six kala pujas, daily suprabhatham, weekly Sudarsana homa, and continuous annadhanam; special sevas like Tirumanjanam and Garuda Vahana Utsavam fill the Vaikunta month. Festival highlights include Vaikunta Ekadasi, Chitrai Brahmotsavam, Deepavali, and an annual Theppotsavam (float festival) along the royal river, engaging 30,000 devotees, 1,200 volunteers, and a digital command centre interfacing with Klang Municipal Council for crowd, sanitation, and traffic management. Facilities include a wedding hall, Vaishnava library, Nalayira Divya Prabandham archive, counselling and legal aid suites, youth hostel, and relief warehouse used during floods. The temple’s vaibhavam extends beyond rituals: it shelters marginalised families, coordinates blood drives, provides tuition classes, and serves as Klang Indian Congress’s civic hub ([1][3]).
Location
Jalan Bukit Jawa, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia(Selangor)
Year Built
1892 CE
Heritage Status
National Heritage Site (2012); Klang heritage tourism anchor
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 5:30 AM-9:30 PM; guided tours Sat/Sun 10:00 AM; annadhanam 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM; library open Wed-Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; counselling Tue/Thu evenings; Vaikunta Ekadasi 24h.
Entry Fee
Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; hall rental packages; float festival seat RM20; parking RM4; photography permit RM10 inside mandapa.
Citation References
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang
Temple BoardAccessed 2025-11-09
National Heritage Department Report on Klang Temples
Jabatan Warisan NegaraAccessed 2025-11-09
Universiti Malaya Structural Review 2023
Universiti Malaya Faculty of EngineeringAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
National Heritage Site (2012); Klang heritage tourism anchor
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2023 structural assessment indicates stable columns, maintained roofs, and sound foundations post-micropiling; stucco icons undergoing cyclical repainting.
Historical Context
Temple founded 1892 by Chettiar bankers; granite mandapa, pillars, and mural cycles installed 1919; Klang royal families patronised festivities. During WWII temple served as relief centre. 1974 gopuram constructed; 1992 centenary works added marble floors and new statues. Post-2005 floods, temple led community shelter programme. 2013 multi-storey block built; 2021 digital heritage project launched with Universiti Malaya.
Architectural Details
Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars
Colonial Period
Built by
Nattukottai Chettiar Community
Materials
Granite, Brickwork, Reinforced Concrete, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Timber, Copper Kalashas, Ceramic Tile
Dimensions
Height21m
Width36m
Length80m
Area4800m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Restorations: 1919 granite installation; 1974 gopuram; 1992 centenary refurbishment; 2010 underpinning and MEP upgrade; 2019 LED retrofit; 2022 mural conservation; 2023 roof waterproofing.
Patronage
Klang Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Board
Construction Technique
The 1919 reconstruction imported 143 granite pillars, teak doors, and stucco deities from India, assembled with lime mortar, timber beams, and copper kalashas ([1][2]). The 21-metre rajagopuram (1974) employs reinforced concrete core with brick infill and lime plaster. Mandapas feature granite colonnades supporting timber-trussed roofs strengthened with steel ties (1998). Floors combine granite pavers and Italian marble. Modern upgrades include reinforced concrete secondary beams under the roof, concealed conduits, and air circulation ducts disguised behind ornamental panels. Conservation uses lime-based paints, stainless steel dowels, and micro-injection grout. A multi-level parking and services block (2013) uses reinforced concrete frames and links to temple via covered walkway.
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Craft techniques include hand-carved granite polishing, lime plaster icon restoration, mural conservation using natural pigments, brass oil-lamp maintenance, and silver kavacham plating. Structural upgrades leverage steel tie rods, concealed RC beams, and vibration-damping pads. Donor-funded workshops teach kolam, garland weaving, and Srivaishnava chant notation. The temple’s digital archive scans palm-leaf manuscripts with infrared imaging ([1][3]).
Coordinates
3.044200, 101.443600
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Modest attire required; shoe storage available; volunteer assistance for seniors; hearing loop in mandapa; medical kiosks during festivals.","restrooms":"Restrooms and ablution blocks in annex; baby-care room; filtered water dispensers; showers for vow fulfilment.","wheelchair_accessible":"Ramp entrance; lifts in facilities block; portable ramps into mandapa; accessibility seating; volunteers assist during festivals."}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit early mornings for serene darshan; Vaikunta Ekadasi (Dec/Jan) for night-long darshan; Chitrai Brahmotsavam (Apr/May) for Garuda Vahana procession; evening Theppotsavam for river float spectacle.
Seasonal Events
8 items
Visitor Restrictions
Dress modestly; remove footwear; refrain from photography in sanctum without permission; obey crowd marshals during festivals; vegetarian food only on premises.
View Count
0
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:45:25.134598+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T12:55:39.369+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InColonial Period
📍
LocationSelangor
🏛️
StyleDravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor?
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor is a historic Temple located in Selangor, Malaysia. This Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars architectural masterpiece was built during the Colonial Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Malaysia. Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, affectionately dubbed “Temple of a Thousand Pillars,” is Malaysia’s premier Vaishnavite shrine, established in 1892 by South Indian Chettiars and rebuilt 1919 with gran...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Jalan Bukit Jawa, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, SelangorPeriod:
Colonial PeriodStyle:
Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite PillarsKey Features of Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor
- 1Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Granite, Brickwork, Reinforced Concrete, Lime Plaster, Stucco, Timber, Copper Kalashas, Ceramic Tile, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The 1919 reconstruction imported 143 granite pillars, teak doors, and stucco deities from India, assembled with lime mortar, timber beams, and copper kalashas ([1][2]). The 21-metre rajagopuram (1974) employs reinforced concrete core with brick infill and lime plaster. Mandapas feature granite colonnades supporting timber-trussed roofs strengthened with steel ties (1998). Floors combine granite pavers and Italian marble. Modern upgrades include reinforced concrete secondary beams under the roof, concealed conduits, and air circulation ducts disguised behind ornamental panels. Conservation uses lime-based paints, stainless steel dowels, and micro-injection grout. A multi-level parking and services block (2013) uses reinforced concrete frames and links to temple via covered walkway. construction methods
- 4National Heritage Site (2012); Klang heritage tourism anchor providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Nattukottai Chettiar Community, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Excellent; 2023 surveys show roof sound, drainage functional, gopuram intact; minor stucco repainting ongoing.
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 Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Dravidian Vaishnavite Temple Architecture with Granite Pillars architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Nattukottai Chettiar Community, reflecting historical significance
- 3Temple documents Klang’s Indian diaspora, Chettiar financial networks, and royal patronage; Vaishnavite manuscripts and murals provide insight into Srivaishnava theology in Southeast Asia.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor
| RMEntry Fee | Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; hall rental packages; float festival seat RM20; parking RM4; photography permit RM10 inside mandapa. |
| 🕐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 Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor is located in Jalan Bukit Jawa, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, Selangor. The nearest major city is Jalan Bukit Jawa. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 3.0442, 101.4436.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; guided tour donation RM15; hall rental packages; float festival seat RM20; parking RM4; photography permit RM10 inside mandapa.. 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 Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor. 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 Sundararaja Perumal Temple Klang Selangor by Nattukottai Chettiar Community
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under National Heritage Site (2012); Klang heritage tourism anchor
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation