Palani Andawer Temple
பழனி ஆண்டவர் கோவில்
Kuil Palani Andawer
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKampung Kedah, Kutaraja
DeityKartikeya
FestivalsThaipusam
Location
LocationBanda Aceh
StateAceh
CountryIndonesia
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture
Completed1934

Palani Andawer Temple is an oldest and only Hindu temple in Aceh, Indonesia. This temple was built in 1934 by Tamil Immigrants.[1][2] It is the only place of worship for hundreds of Hindus in the provincial capital. This building was destroyed during the 2004 tsunami, but was finally able to be renovated back to its current form. This temple is focal point for Thaipusam festival in Aceh.[3][4][5]

Architecture

Specifically, in this temple there are two important buildings, namely the Murugan altar and the Ganesha altar which we know as the elephant statue. The Murugan altar is purple, on this altar there is a lotus flower symbol and above it is the Om symbol flanked by two budding coconuts. The lotus symbol is the abode of the gods, and the coconut symbolizes the value of the benefits of a human being. In front of these two altars there is a special building that resembles a pillar. At the top of this pole pinned nine bells as a symbol of the nine holes in the human body. The value contained through this bell symbol is, those who will enter the temple must clean nine holes in their bodies, such as the ear and nose holes.

On the walls are three statues of Lord Murugan, specially designed by a Tamil artist from Medan. While on the left side there is a symbol of Dewata Nawa Sanga, which belongs to Balinese Hinduism. Dewata Nawa Sanga is a symbol of the nine cardinal directions. Where each cardinal direction has a special color that is guarded by different Gods with different types of weapons.

Location

This temple is located not far from the entrance gate to Gampong Keudah, Kutaraja District, Banda Aceh.

References

  1. ↑ "Mengintip Isi Dalam Kuil Palani Andawer di Banda Aceh". 11 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Indian Temples of Sumatra — Transcontinental Times". 2 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Photo: Hindu tradition lives on in sharia Aceh".
  4. ↑ "Anadolu Agency".
  5. ↑ "Melihat Perayaan Thaipusam India Tamil di Aceh". 28 April 2019.
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