IT was a historic moment when the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) commissioners, led by its chairman RSN Rayer, visited the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple recently.
Rayer said the visit by the newly formed PHEB to the temple marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between PHEB and the Chettiar community.
“We are here now to offer our prayers and look forward to forging a close working relationship with the Nattukottai Chettiars.
“We aim to mend the strained relationship with the Nattukottai Chettiars from the past and work together harmoniously to move forward.
“This would, of course, ensure a smoother and well-organised Thaipusam celebration in the coming year,” Rayer told the Buletin Mutiara during his visit to the temple on Sept 8.
Rayer also said that in the past, the former PHEB had never visited the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple after being newly formed.
“Our PHEB is a week old, and all our commissioners have decided to visit the Hilltop Waterfall Temple and the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple on the first Friday, following the formation of the board last week.
“And this is a promising start for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nattukottai Chettiar Temple managing trustee Shammugam Chettiar hoped that the upcoming Thaipusam celebration could be celebrated in unison.
Prior to visiting the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple, Rayer held a brief meeting with his team at the Waterfall Hilltop Temple as well as offered prayers together.
Over there, Rayer presented the appointment letters of the respective commissioners.
All the commissioners were in full attendance during the meeting.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Tanushalini Moroter & courtesy of PHEB