Feels like yesterday when I first visited the Sri Subramaniar Devasthanam temple in Parit Buntar.
When I first arrived at Universiti Sains Malaysia in April 2022, one of the first things I did was look for a temple nearby. I still remember cycling from the campus in Nibong Tebal to "another district", Parit Buntar, wondering if I would find one there.
When I first visited the temple on my bicycle, the main building was still under construction.
That was when I met the priest, Raju ayya. During one of our conversations, he told me about an Indian restaurant called Aabhiramiy. Long story short, I became a regular there. So regular that I knew which song or hymn would play next from the restaurant's speaker during lunch hour. Most of the time, I would ride there on my bicycle, or as I liked to call it, my Ducati.
That was also where I got to know Kartik uncle, the owner of the restaurant, together with his wife, brother, and sister in law. Kartik uncle's wife and sister in law were among the cooks there. They were always very kind to me. To me, the food was always good because love was one of the main ingredients.
Over time, Kartik uncle started inviting me to special occasions at the temple whenever the restaurant was closed and lunch was being served there. Of course, one of the reasons I attended was because I wanted good food and also wanted to respect his invitation. But I believe the Almighty had different plans.
Instead of simply attending for lunch, I found myself becoming one of the people serving food to the devotees first before eating myself.
Many special occasions came and went. I brought friends like Rishee, Vic, and Seaan along, and together we would help serve the devotees before having our own meal. Through those occasions, we got to know many of the regular devotees who came to the temple. It was only later that I learned that Kartik uncle was actually the temple president.
Of course, I am not a perfect religious person, and I understand that the formless Almighty is everywhere. But the temple became a place of hope for me. As the months and years passed, I started feeling that the regulars there treated us as one of their own. There was always respect, kindness, and warmth. Looking back, I believe all of it was part of the Almighty's plan.
After four years, and after almost ten years of construction work that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the temple's consecration ceremony is finally taking place tomorrow, 7 June 2026.
Months ago, Kartik uncle and Raju Ayya sent me WhatsApp messages about the event. Today, Seaan and I attended the Oil Anointment Ceremony.
We took the first ETS train from KL Sentral , which is about 3 hrs 40 mins ride to Parit Buntar. We were seated at Coach F, seats 7A and 7B on the ETS. As the train moved forward, we were facing backwards. It felt symbolic. Life had moved on, but the journey to Parit Buntar felt like a journey back in time. Every kilometre brought back memories.
The temple is beautiful. It is huge. The atmosphere was peaceful. There was a sense of calmness throughout the place.
We met Kartik uncle, his wife, his brother, his sister in law, Raju ayya and many of the regular devotees again. We had a good conversation with Kartik uncle and his wife. I missed them, and I believe they were happy to see us too.
And just like the old days, for lunch, Seaan and I served the devotees before having our own food. I do not say this to show off. It was simply something done from the heart. Serving the devotees before eating is definitely one of the memories I will always cherish. The atmosphere, the devotees asking for a little more food even though we were told to keep the portions fair, hearing countless "thank yous", being asked "How's studies?", serving the elderly, the young ones, the priest, and even Kartik uncle's wife. It was a privilege.
I spent three-quarters of my campus life with RC planes, but somewhere between flying aircraft and eating at Aabhiramiy, I somehow ended up serving the temple too. Looking back, that became quite a saga on its own.
The day ended with one final quest, meeting Immanuel for a short catch up session before heading home.
Looking back, it was never just about the temple. It was about the people. Raju Ayya, Kartik uncle and his family, and the regular devotees. May God always bless Parit Buntar.
Photo of Kartik uncle, me, uncle's wife and Seaan. This was our last lunch (last year) at Aabhiramiy restaurant before we went back home to KL for good.
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