Bala Murukan Temple in Western Australia

History : Bala Murukan Temple is situated on Mandogalup Road, Mandogalup, some 38 kilometers south of Perth in the state of Western Australia. The temple is located on a high sand dune (kunru) in an area of about five acres in a lush green environment. It resembles the temples of Tamil Nadu in every respect. It is remarkable that as the Lord of the hill region, Bala Murukan in the State of Western Australia also resides on a high sand dune. His abodes are usually located on hills.

The worship of Bala Murukan in the state of Western Australia was begun in August 1996. There was a building in the premises of the temple land that was purchased by the Saiva Mah Sabai. This building was converted into a sacred temple in which Bala Murukan and other deities were installed and consecrated. A Hindu priest performs daily pujas for Bala Murukan and other deities.

In 1996 a Saivite society, the Saiva Mah Sabai, was formed in order to build a temple for Murukan. The Saiva Maha Sabai of Western Australia (Inc) owns the Bala Murukan Temple. The membership of Saiva Maha Sabai is open for all Saivites of Western Australia without any restriction of membership contribution. At present sixty Tamil families are members in the Saiva Maha Sabai. About 50 to 75 devotees participate in the weekly Friday special puja. Other festivals such as Taipponkal, Taippucam, Tamil New Year, etc. are attended by hundreds of devotees.

The total plinth area of the temple is 1350 square metres. The shrine of Bala Murukan will have a ten-meter high tower (gopuram); there will be separate shrines for each of the other deities in the temple. A 15-meter high rajagopuram - the tallest tower at the east gate - will be constructed. The Bala Murukan temple’s elevated landscape with the raja gopuram will make the new temple a landmark building south of the city of Perth in the state of Western Australia.

The Saiva Maha Sabai is presently engaged in constructing a Tamil Cultural Centre in Western Australia and the Bala Murukan Temple will be the centre of its cultural activities.