Info about Bujang Valley
The Bujang Valley or Lembah Bujang is a sprawling historical complex and has an area of approximately 224 square km. Situated near Merbok, Kedah, between Gunung Jerai in the north and Muda River in the south, it is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia. These archaeological remains indicate that there may have been a Hindu-Buddhist polity here. The name itself is roughly translated into "Dragon Valley".
The area consists of ruins that may date more than 1,500 years old. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called candi (pronounce "chandi"), have also been unearthed. The most impressive and well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok. The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here.Research also indicates that there may have been a Hindu-Buddhist300 CE. If that were true, this would mean that local rulers may have adopted Indian cultural and political models earlier than those of Kutai in eastern Borneo, in southern Celebes or Tarumanegara in western Java, were remains showing Indian influence have been found dating from the early 5th century. Relics found in the Bujang Valley are now on display at the archaeological museum. Items include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons.
Folk stories and oral history also provide place for a magnificent kingdom of jewels and gold. Outside peninsular and insular Southeast Asia, there are some oral history in India that suggests the presence of golden chariots and jewels in hidden caves at what may be the Bujang Valley and Mount Jerai. Some visitors to the antiquity department at Muzium Negara has eye witness recollection of magnificent objects such as a 10 feet tall Raja Bersiung Throne and various idols and items from the Valley.
During my summer holiday, I went home to Malaysia and had the opportunity to visit Bujang Valley the oldest archeology site in Kedah I guess. Last time I went there was during a primary school trip with my teachers. A very very long time ago ;D . Also the other reason for my second time visit was because I heard that some archeologists from University Science Malaysia had found two new sites at Sungai Batu near Mount Jerai that date back to the same age as the candi Bujang Valey. These sites believed to be a village and iron smelting factory. I did't had chance to took picture of the new sites because that time was already dark. Some of the pictures that I took at the Bujang Valley Museum :
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| Entrance to Bujang Valley Museum (free to enter) |
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| Open everyday except first day Raya Aidilfitri and Raya Aidiladha. |
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| Candi Pengkalan Bujang |
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| Candi Bukit Batu Pahat (main and biggest temple in Bujang Valley) |
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| Entrance to Candi Bukit Batu Pahat |
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| Front view of Candi Bukit Batu Pahat. |
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| View from different angle. |
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| Closeup view of Candi Bukit Batu Pahat. |
Pictures not very good because I used my iphone 3GS as camera. My old Exilim Casio digital camera had broken so didn't have any choice. Got to buy new camera fast!!
