Cradle of an early civilisation.

The Bujang Valley in Kedah was the bustling centre of a rich and prosperous kingdom between the third and 12th century AD.It was then known as Nusantara, a Sanskrit word which means ‘seat of all felicities.’The area, which was also called Bujanga or ‘Valley of the Serpent’ was Southeast Asia’s central trading entreport which dealt with cargo brought by Arab, Chinese, Indian as well as maritime traders from the Malay archipelago.

Today, the valley is a treasure trove of ancient artifacts from this early civilisation.Archeologists have unearthed a wealth of architectural and cultural relics that prove the existence of a Hindu and Buddhist civilisation there.Among the most significant of these relics are the candis (Sanskrit for temple ruins). There are altogether seven candis.

SOLID FOUNDATION:The main candi at Bukit Batu Pahat was found and excavated in 1936.Its main building materials are granite blocks and river stones.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat is one of the largest ancient monuments in the Bujang Valley. This shrine, built using granite blocks and river stones, is situated on the west of the Batu Pahat River, about 3km north of Kampung Sungai Merbok.Artifacts found here include eight reliquaries with nine chambers containing jars, beads, and gold foil in the shape of linga (statue of fertility), nandi (bull), discs and a goddess seated on padma (lotus) holding a trident.

The Siva candi and 66 sites of wooden poles are among the remains of this temple. It is believed that this monument was made of wood besides granite stones.In the 1960s, the ruins of the temple were reconstructed at its original location with help from experts from Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and the Angkor Wat Conservation Centre in Cambodia.

Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum assistant curator Nurul Azlida Ghozali said records showed that the candis had existed from the 11th century AD.“This museum is a treasure house of artifacts recovered from historical sites dating from the early 5th to 14th century AD. Over 1,000 of these artifacts are on display while another 2,500 are still being studied,” she said.

According to Nurul Azlida, there are seven completed temples in the Bujang Valley but only four are located within the museum’s grounds. They are the main temple Candi Bukit Batu Pahat and the smaller ones called Candi Bendang, Candi Pandiat Dalam and Candi Pengkalan Bujang.

Candi Bukit Pendiat and Candi Pengkalan Bujang are located at their original sites where the early settlers lived in those days.The lush jungle surrounding the Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum makes it an ideal place to visit even if one is not a history buff.

The scenic Merbok River nearby, with its cool, crystal clear water adds to the area’s attraction. It explains why the museum’s grounds is a popular hiking and picnic spot for families and those who love the great outdoors.

Visitors to the valley can also enjoy the scenic view of Kedah’s highest mountain, Gunung Jerai or Kedah Peak, which is a breathtaking landmark in Bujang Valley.The 1,380m-high Gunung Jerai is a majestic sight against the flat landscape of the padi fields-dominated region.Gunung Jerai was considered a sacred mountain during the time of the Hindu–Buddhist influence in Bujang Valley.

Kedah historian Datuk Wan Samsuddin Mohd Yusof, who is an authority on the early history of Kedah, said Bujang Valley was also famed for being “home” to the royal tomb of Kedah’s first monarch, Sultan Mudzaffar Shah, who ruled from 1136AD until he died in 1179AD.Before he converted to Islam, the sultan was known as Maharaja Berbar Raja.

The Sultan’s tomb is located 0.5km from SK Sultan Mudzaffar Shah in Kampung Bujang in Merbok.

Entrance: Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum

Article by Ong Teck Meng