Kaikkudal Karumariamman Koil
Gelung Pepuyu Ayer Tawar Perak
One will be able to vist a mystical temple only if he or she is destained to do so. Dewi Sri Kaikkudal Karumariamman temple at Jalan Gelung Pepuyu near Ipoh is one of them.
Unlike other popular temples which attract thousands of people to the shrine some temples are located in midst of estates or jungles with very poor accessibility where people seldom go.
There are many mystical temples in India which at least until recent times was not that popular. Chathuragiri near Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu, is one typical example. It did not gain much popularity until an article in one of the popular tamil weekly magazine was written on that. Malaysia has some mystical temples but only few like Batu Caves Murugan Temple near KL or Nagamalai near Batu Pahat in Johor are popular amongst devotees. Likewise, Ipoh is also popular for Hindu Temples. Malaysia also has some mystical temples that are powerful and yet hardly known to outside people. These deities were worshipped by people who had migrated during the British time to Malaysia and had built temples for worship near the place of their settlement. Kaumaram (worship of murugar) and Saktham (worship of Kali or Ambal) were very prominent forms of worship besides Village deities (Grahma Devathaigal) such as Muneesawarar, Madurai Veeran etc among the migrated population. This is one reason why we can see more of Ambal and Murugan temples in Malaysia. An estimate says no of registered temples in Ipoh alone are close to 30 and if unregistered temples are accounted for it would easily exceed 80.
This temple dedicated to Karumariamman at Jalan Gelung Pepuyu, Ipoh is one such temple which has not received much attention. In fact even the local people in Gelung Pepuyu or Ipoh does not know much about the temple.
It is a small temple with sannidhi's for Sri Karumariamman, Valampuri Vinayagar, Balasubramaniar and Muneeswaran. The main deity is Sri Karumariamman. Unlike typical hindu temples one cannot see a rajagopuram or typical signs of a temple building. Instead it is in a small building extension over rocks covered with a sheets on top. The Sthala Vriksham is Peepal tree or Ashwattha tree (India) and one can see a Snake Puthu below the tree, which is seen near most amman temples. One can feel strong vibrations in the temple. The sandy bed inside the temple (in front of rocks) on the sides of the main sannidhi (behind the Valampuri Vinayagar and Balasubramaniar sannidhi's) is considered very sacred. One can place both hands on the sand and meditate with whatever prayer/ problem you may have. If the Karumariamman blesses to solve the problems the hands will join automatically while meditating.
HOW TO REACH.
The temple is situated in midst of a estate with no signs of its presence to outside world except for the sign board in the main road. The temple is about 54 Kms from Ipoh and about 250 Kms from Kualalumpur. Easiest way to reach the temple is from Ipoh.
One can reach Ipoh or Kualalumpur by Air or Train and reach the temple by Road.
From Ipoh you need to take the state highway (Route no 5) to Lumut and turn right in Jalan Gelung Pepuyu. (A 127). After traveling for about 3-4 kms on Jalan Pepuyu one can see a sign board on the right to the temple (Kaikudal Karumariamman Koil ). Turn right at the sign board and after about 0.8 km the road will bifurcate in to country road on the left and tar road on right. Turn left which will lead a dead end within 200 meters from the bifurcation. The temple is on the right side within about 100 m from the end.
IMPORTANT FESTIVAL
Pookuzhi (Fire walking) is a popular festival which is common in most amman temples and it is normally celebrated around June every year
