{
  "id": 18856660,
  "title": "Kota Baru's oldest Hindu temple draws devotees on Deepavali",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/kota-barus-oldest-hindu-temple-draws-devotees-on-deepavali",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T04:11:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1573202/kota-barus-oldest-hindu-temple-draws-devotees-deepavali"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA BARU: The 22-year-old Arulmigu Sivasubramaniyar Alayam temple, considered the oldest Hindu temple in the district, continues to attract devotees as they celebrate Deepavali. The temple, located in Jalan Hamzah, opened its doors to visitors from 7 am, anticipating around 100 families for the day. Established in 2004, the temple has been a significant center for the local Hindu community for over two decades. Deepavali is a time when devotees gather to offer prayers and fulfill their religious vows, according to temple president Datuk Subramaniam Nacihaippan.\n\nThe foundation stone of the temple was laid by the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, former Kelantan Menteri Besar. Today, the temple's priests, Annamalai Tamilselvan, 64, and Annamalai Subbiah, 50, conducted the morning prayers until 1 pm, followed by special prayers for devotees seeking to fulfill their wishes in the evening from 7 pm to 10 pm.\n\nDeepavali is not only a time for prayer but also for family reunions and the continuation of religious traditions. Dr Navanithan Ramakrishnan, who traveled from Kuala Lumpur to celebrate with his family in Kota Baru, emphasized that the family's visit was both a celebration and an opportunity to seek blessings. Resident R. Hareetaran, along with his family, also made an annual pilgrimage to the temple during Deepavali, using the occasion to introduce his young son to Hindu practices and ensure the tradition endures for generations.\n\nFor many devotees, the temple is more than a place of worship; it is a gathering point for the Hindu community in Kelantan, fostering family bonds and seeking blessings for the year ahead.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: The 22-year-old Arulmigu Sivasubramaniyar Alayam temple in Jalan Hamzah here continues to draw devotees seeking blessings and fulfilling religious vows as Hindus celebrated Deepavali today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Arulmigu Sivasubramaniyar Alayam is Kota Baru's oldest Hindu temple, established in 2004.",
    "Deepavali attracts 100 families to the temple for prayers and religious vows.",
    "Temple priests conduct morning and evening prayers to fulfill devotees' wishes."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The temple serves as a vital anchor for the Kelantan Hindu community, preserving religious traditions and strengthening family bonds through generations of annual Deepavali pilgrimages.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}