GLASS TEMPLE SET TO BECOME MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), July 30 (Bernama) -- The Arulmigu Sri Raja
Kalliamman temple, Malaysia's first glass temple, in Jalan Tebrau here will not
only be a boon to Hindu devotees but would also be a major tourist attraction.

Built at the cost of RM3 million (US$848,416) it is the first glass temple
of its kind in the world, said temple chairman S.Sinnathamby.

He said 95 per cent of the temple's walls, ceiling, domes and pillars were
adorned with more than one million pieces of colourful glasses imported from
Thailand, Japan and Belgium.

"The glasswork is carefully placed together by nine Myanmar workers. Motifs
and symbols like Swastika, Namam and Sri Chakra were created from the glasswork
in seven colours," he told reporters after inspecting workers putting finishing
touches to the temple Wednesday.

Sinnathamby said the temple was built on a land awarded by the Ruler of
Johor in 1922 and it was renovated for the first time in 1996.

He said he visualised the glass temple during a visit to Thailand and funds
for the construction were raised through community programmes and public
donation.

The air-conditioned temple, which could accommodate 1,500 devotees, will be
officially opened on Oct 25, he added.

Sinnathamby said the temple committee would raise another RM1 million
(US$282,805) to upgrade the temple's infrastructure including a road leading to
it.

-- BERNAMA