Forlorn.of.thee (fa'lo:n ŭv thē), p, my only strength and stay,forlorn of thee, whither shall I betake me, where subsist?
Paradise Lost by John Milton
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Monday, August 31, 2009

Temples, Churches and Mosques...

Back from a short holiday to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, population a tad shy of 7 m inhabitants (including the suburbs). A friend asked for snaps of a church, managed to do better.

Malaysia is a Muslim country but enshrined in the country's constitution is the right of worship. So, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian places of worship are a commonplace around town.

We'll start with Po Ling Chinese Temple. Serves pretty good vegetarian dishes. (Yes, it's all about food... and shopping in Malaysia!)


Dropped by the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple. Paid my M$2* for what I thought was the admission fee. Was I wrong! It was a 'donation' for a blessing. Cleansed my soul over the fire and was handed a packet containing two bananas, betle leaves and chalk (smear the chalk on the leaves and chew!)


It's said that all distances out of Kuala Lumpur start from St. Mary's Cathedral. It's located next to Selangor Club and the Padang (the Field) where the old colonials sipped their Scotch and swung the cricket bat.


Finally, there's Masjid Negara (the National Mosque).


No, its not a sect nor freemasons in purple. A condition for admittance, us foreigners had to attire ourselves in this robe :)


* M$3 = A$1 = U$0.80

5 comments:

Unknown said...

AH, so interesting, how did the blessing taste? So glad you were able to visit different places, I would have done the same. Did you wear purple and what was inside? Did you go to a service?

Lavender said...

Wow, what an interesting post and a great trip for you Im sure...Iam also curious about the taste of the betle leaves, knowing full well its not the taste that makes them popular. So, did you have a go?

Young Werther said...

Hi Lisa, Lavender. I wasn't game enough to try the leaf, a schooner of cold Tiger had the same effect :)

I had to wear the purple robe to enter. This is how it looks inside .

Lavender said...

Whoa, what colours - lovely shot YW!

Dust-bunny said...

What an interesting trip, and lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing!