Bujang Valley: Historical Site

Artifacts on display in the archaeology museum in Bujang Valley

After our lunch at Sungai Petani, we continued our trip to Bujang Valley or Lembah Bujang archaeological and historical site. Well, this may not be an ideal holiday for many, but for the curious us, this was in fact an interesting and memorable trip.  

A beautiful garden near the car park of the museum

Bujang Valley or known in Malay language as Lembah Bujang is a Malaysian archaeological and historical site which was featured in our History textbook in secondary school. It signified the early settlement and the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism in the peninsula. The Hindu temples or candi from various nearby locations were actually reconstructed in Bujang Valley, so we got to see four temples at a time. There was an archaeology museum that housed all the relics and artifacts that were found in the temples and its vicinity.

Ancient potteries and claypots that were found by the archaeologists

Hinduism artifacts that were found in the temples

It was impressive as soon as we stepped onto the compound of Bujang Valley. It was so serene and quiet as there were not many visitors around. The greenery surrounding the area was untouched and from there, we could see Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) (the highest mountain in Kedah). We should have been brought by our History teacher to visit this place but no such visit was ever arranged. All we had seen so far was the picture from the textbook.

The archaeology museum in Bujang Valley

Perahu Sagor was a traditional sailing boat that was made from a single log and was the main transportation of the Malay society during that time. (Source: Signboards next to the Perahu Sagor)

Perahu sagor, a traditional Malay sailing boat

Pillar supports made of granite were found in the temples near Bujang Valley. Their usage was to support the pillars that were connected to the roofs of the temples. (Source: Signboard next to the pillar support)

Pillar supports for the pillars in the candi/temple

The granite stone artifacts below were used to grind rice into flour by the locals in Bujang Valley. (Source: Signboard next to the granite artifact)

This granite artifact was used to grind rice into flour

Stone mortar was used by the locals to grind and crush the dried shrimps, that were needed in the local business of making belacan (shrimp paste). (Source: Signboard next to the stone mortar)

Stone mortar was used to grind and crush dried shrimps

There were altogether four candi (temples): Candi Pendiat, Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, Candi Pengkalan Bujang and Candi Bendang Dalam. Of course, what could be seen at Bujang Valley now were the ruins of the temples, the base without the pillars or roofs. Some said that this archaeological site somehow did not provide a lot of information but to me, I was indeed overwhelmed by the huge candi there. Of course, it could not measured up to Borobudur in Indonesia but it is something that our school children could learn from.

Candi Pendiat was believed to be built in 11th A.D. and was found by Quarith Wales in 1940. Its original site was in Kampung Pendiat, Merbok (east of Bujang River). (Source: Signboard in front of Candi Pendiat)

This is Candi Pendiat.

A close up view of Candi Pendiat

The bronze Buddha statuette below was found by Dorothy Wales near Candi Pendiat (Source: description beneath the statuette)

The bronze Buddha statuette

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat was the main temple in Bujang Valley. It was reconstructed at its original place in the year 1960. (Source: Signboard in front of the temple) This was the temple of Lembah Bujang that I had always read about in the History textbook.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, the main candi in Bujang Valley

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat was reconstructed in 1960

Candi Pengkalan Bujang was originally found in Kampung Pengkalan Bujang, east of the Bujang River. (Source: Signboard in front of the temple)

Pengkalan Bujang temple / candi

Candi Bendang Dalam was made up of three main buildings. It was believed to be built between 12th A.D. and 13th A.D. in Kampung Bendang Dalam, Merbok (west of the Bujang River). (Source: Signboard in front of the temple)

The Bendang Dalam Temple ruins from far

Candi Bendang Dalam

In short, all the archaeological findings in Bujang Valley concluded that there were trades between locals and other countries and there were influences of Hinduism and Buddhism. It was an eye-opening trip. The historical site was set amidst lush greenery and it was so peaceful to be there. In addition, there was no entrance fee at all. So, do not miss this chance to explore an archaeological site at our backyard. So, happy exploring!

P.S. This place has a picnic site, so have a picnic after your candi exploration ;)

After our candi exploration, we headed to the viewpoint of Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) next.

Free admission

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha)

Direction:
Exit at SP Utara from North South Highway. It was quite a distance to get to Merbok. We used the Google map to get here.