Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, Melaka

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, located in Melaka, holds the distinction of being the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia that remains intact and is one of the oldest functioning Hindu temples in Maritime Southeast Asia. The temple was established in 1781 by Thavinayagar Chitty, a leader among the Chitty community—a group of Tamil merchants in Malaysia—after the Dutch colonial government of Malacca allocated a plot of land for this purpose. The dedication of the temple is to Vinayagar, or Ganesha, depicted traditionally with the head of an elephant and the body of a man with four hands. Additionally, there is a dedicated altar for Lord Muruga, who is revered as the younger brother of Lord Vinayagar.

The temple's rich history is anchored in the support from the Dutch colonial era, which formally handed over a piece of land in the 1780s as recorded in the Dutch grant. This has been maintained under the trusteeship of the Chitty community leaders, the latest being the late Mr. Thaivanayagam Chitty.

The temple features three exquisitely carved wooden Rathams (chariots), each over 200 years old and dedicated to different deities: Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanian Swamy, and Lord Rama Swamy. These Rathams are integral to the temple’s festivities, especially during the temple’s vibrant chariot processions, where they are pulled by bullocks and adorned with decorative lamps, creating a beautiful spectacle at night.

Today, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple remains a testament to the enduring legacy and spiritual devotion of the Chitty community in Malaysia, continuing to serve as a focal point for worship and celebration in the heart of historic Malacca.