The Hindu Devastanam Committee of the Maha Mariaman temple located at Tun HS Lee in Kuala Lumpur has come under fire by the Hindu community for its proposed plan to turn several floors of an existing building attached to the temple into a budget hotel.

This news has gone viral in the social media among the Hindu community, and many are of the view that a budget hotel will somewhat taint the image and the sanctity of the temple.

The temple president, Nadarajah, has clarified that the news of the budget hotel within the temple building is a rumour and the temple committee have yet to make any concrete decision on the budget hotel proposal. However the president reiterated that they have to put to good use the space in the building so that it can generate income for the temple and the proposal is still open for discussion.

The Malaysian Hindu Sangam has also expressed its concern of the budget hotel proposal and has advised the temple committee not to allow the building space to be converted into a budget hotel.

I am wondering how a commercial budget hotel which will have a different name and separate entrance can taint the image of the temple? I have travelled widely to India visiting many temples and I have noticed budget hotels and hostels build in close proximity and some instances within the compound of some temples.

I have not heard of any negative connotations with regard to these budget hotels in India. Perhaps those against this proposal are stretching their imagination a little too far to the point of creating unnecessary fuss and confusion among the Hindu public.

Those who are against the idea of a budget hotel in the temple building may have perceived the proposal negatively due to the prevailing ‘notorious’ reputation with some of our budget hotels in the country. We should be fair and not jump to conclusion at this stage to lambast the temple committee in the social media with regard to the budget hotel proposal.

The outrage in the social media is understandable if the temple committee is planning to turn the place into a brothel or a nightclub. But they are only thinking of turning it into a budget hotel to generate income for the temple.

With proper guidelines and conditions spelled out, I see no reason why the temple cannot operate a decent budget hotel. When we can allow a non-vegetarian fast food outlet in the temple building to do business for so many years, what is wrong with a budget hotel?

Those who are against this idea should take note that budget hotels are mushrooming and flourishing well in close proximity and in some instances within the compound walls of several Hindu temples in India. All one need to do is to see how these budget hotels in India are being operated without offending the religious sensitivities of the community.

I understand these budget hotels in close proximity to Hindu temples in India adhere to strict guidelines and conditions to prevent the public from misusing the place. Apparently, in many of these budgets hotels only married couples and families are allowed to rent a room.

Cheap and convenient accommodation

There are many advantages of having a decent budget hotel in the temple building. Outstation devotees, visitors and tourists will find this budget hotel a cheap and convenient accommodation venue in the city centre. As long as the budget hotel is operated with strict guidelines and is monitored regularly by the temple committee, we should be open to the idea.

The temple committee on its part should be transparent with their plans and be accountable to the Hindu public. Much of the resistance and brickbats that the temple committee seems to be receiving has to do with the committee’s past dealings with the public.

The temple Devastanam should be commended for some of the good work in organising major religious festivals and running the daily business in the three major temples within its jurisdiction, including the Batu Caves Murugan temple.

However, for some reason or other there is this lingering element of ‘trust deficit’ among certain section of the Hindu community with regard to the way the temple Devastanam runs its business. This must be addressed by the temple Devastanam Committee to ensure it continues to enjoy the support and cooperation of the majority of the Hindu community.