A group photo at Sungai Batu.

From 18 to 19 October, Nalanda leaders from Serdang and Sungai Petani branch hosted Firefly Mission Singapore on their inaugural study tour of Bujang Valley, Kedah.  The group led by Firefly Mission Deputy President Bro. Arnold Lee, was warmly welcomed at Nalanda Education and Outreach Centre Sungai Petani as this yearly reunion has been an endearing tradition as part of their annual Kathina Tour to Northern Malaysia.

Bro. Khaw Seng Giap led the tour of several archaeologically important sites in Sungai Batu and Merbok. The group visited ruins of ancient Buddhist structures dating from the early 2nd Century CE and much later Hindu temples dating from the 10th Century CE.  Immersed in the rich Buddhist history in the north of the peninsular, the group was able to visualise the links between historical trade routes, economic growth, social evolutions, and religious ideologies that form part of our heritage.

Learning about artefacts including an iron smelting furnace.

Sis. Nandini Tan welcomes our friends from Firefly Mission to NEO Centre in Sungai Petani.

A group photo at the NEO Centre.

A building tour around NEO Centre SP.

Gratitude to the organisers for making this study tour possible.

We extend our appreciation to the organisers and volunteers for hosting this study tour and enabling our Singapore friends to gain a much better appreciation of the richest archaeological site in Malaysia.  We look forward to seeing everyone again soon!  Sadhu!

Nalanda leaders all ready to welcome the group for the briefing.

Prior to the tour, Bro. Disheng shared the history of Buddhism in the north of the peninsula.

Listening attentively to the explanation of the history of Buddhism in the north of the peninsula.

Learning about the ‘candi’ which were unearthed and relocated to the vicinity of the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum.

Lookin at what was unearthed at Sg. Batu.

In the vicinity of the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum.

For more photos, please click here