Mother Goddess Kali in the shadow of Sg Pari Tower

It was a hot but easy walk from the Kidd Road bus station and up the concrete bridge that replaced the majestic Vierendeel truss girder of old.

(That bridge was done 2 times, the second when Malaysian Railways' double tracking went on stream and required a larger span.)

Before long I was in familiar surroundings and at the door of what I recalled was his humble abode, I called out "Kumar!"

A short Indian woman - 1st wife in all probability - emerged whom I addressed in Malay, but to my mild surprise she answered in English, "Kumar now lives in the First Garden flats with his 2nd wife."

"Ah, that's news to me. His daughter used to translate Kumar's answers from Tamil into Malay when he spoke in trance. Apparently he could see into someone's future as if it was happening on a TV screen."

She gestured vaguely towards Jalan Sg Pari saying, "Punitha now works in a shop back there. And I recall Sumitra* with whom you came."
 
"Is he still offering trance sessions for those who seek comfort and advice?"

"Very few Chinese turn up, but do come in the evenings 7 pm thro 9 pm if you want to meet Kumar. He's still trancing though he's now 57 and retired from MBI. He came into some money and runs his own refuse collection business now."

There is evidence of material wealth not seen at my last visit many years back: there's what I thought was a Proton Waja tucked under the low porch roof.

"The temple is now much bigger, I remember a coconut tree with a sari tied around it. May I take some pictures, Makcik?"

"Yes, though Kali's shrine is now locked up. It will be open and lit at night if you want to take photos."

"Do you mind if I stepped into the temple?"

"Of course not, but do take off your slippers first," she cautioned, and showed me around. "As you can see, there is a total of 5 deities honored temple, including a small alcove dedicated to Kuan Yin. It's very peaceful here, and no one dares create any disturbance!"

I pressed my palms together in the traditional gesture towards the main shrine dedicated to Kali and asked, "What about the small one at the entrance?"

"Oh, he's guardian of the property, and we now have legal rights to it from MBI."

I soon took my leave but not before offering Mrs Kumar a cash token, which she said would be spent on oil and incense for worship.

At some point on the bus journey home, I started to fidget violently in my seat and had to restrain myself from blurting out loud what I seemed to 'hear' from a discarnate source.

Power spots such as the one I had just left seem to affect me that way: perhaps more about that anon.

Meanwhile, here be stories that may curdle the blood.

Kali
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali

Mother Goddess as Kali - The Feminine Force in Indian Art
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/kali.htm

*Su's alter ego in her Indian incarnation.