A temple buried for three decades by a mudslide will find a new lease of life, writes DIANA YEOH
A BANDONED and forgotten for 32 years ago, Da Seng Ngan Buddhist Temple was resurrected when a group of devotees from the Ipoh Benevolent Society accidentally came across it. The temple is located along Jalan Gopeng, next to Sam Poh Tong Caves.
The devotees regularly release fish into ponds and they found the temple when they were looking for more ponds.
Excavation works were then carried out and over 100 pieces of artefacts were uncovered in and around the abandoned temple.
These include incense burner stands, porcelain plates, cups, bowls, copper prayer items, bells and gongs, candle stands, ancestors plaques, lamps, a bronze Buddha statue and porcelain God of war statue.
These are believed to have been made during the Chinese Yuen Dynasty (1426-1435). Among the many interesting items is a century-egg urn which has become crystal-like.
The temple was “lost” when a major landslide covered the temple in earth and mud. Society president Loke Yee Fatt said the society will carry out more excavation works costing RM1 million to restore the temple.
“It will take three months and artefacts will be displayed. We will also renovate the existing halls and rooms formed by the natural stalagmites and stalactites.”
The temple area is 90 metres wide, and the arch of the main entrance is 15 metres by 18 metres. This structure will remain intact. Ever since the temple was rediscovered, Buddhist devotees, locals and tourists have come to view it and devotees have put up a box to collect donations.
The society’s members will continue to look for more artefacts as well as the remains of any monk who might have been trapped in the mudslide.