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<p>KUALA LUMPUR: As the caretaker of the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, Ranjit Kaur is tasked with several duties. This includes opening the temple doors in the morning, sweeping, cleaning the altar, assisting temple visitors with their queries, the list goes on.</p>
<p>A practising Sikh, Ranjit says her job at the Taoist temple does not leave her conflicted in any way.</p>
<p>Here’s what her day entails.</p>
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		</style><div class="robo-gallery-wrap robo-gallery-wrap-id2627934 robo-gallery-" ><div id="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24-block-loader" class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Spinner"><div class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Rect1"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Rect2"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Rect3"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Rect4"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24Rect5"></div></div><div id="robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24" class="robogallery-gallery-2627934" style="width:100%;margin:0 auto;  display: none;"><div id="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24" data-options="rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24" style="width:100%;" class="robo_gallery  "><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Located near the popular tourist spot called Jalan Petaling, Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur, established in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ca62d66d-1.jpg"  title="1"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ca62d66d-1.jpg"  title="1" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Located near the popular tourist spot called Jalan Petaling, Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur, established in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is dedicated to its two patron deities, Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya, who guided Yap in defending Kuala Lumpur during the civil war of 1870-1873." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/28c36a61-2.jpg"  title="2"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/28c36a61-2.jpg"  title="2" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is dedicated to its two patron deities, Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya, who guided Yap in defending Kuala Lumpur during the civil war of 1870-1873.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Caretaker Ranjit Kaur begins her day at 6am when she opens the doors to the temple." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bb1ff4e7-3.jpg"  title="3"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bb1ff4e7-3.jpg"  title="3" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Caretaker Ranjit Kaur begins her day at 6am when she opens the doors to the temple.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The first order of business is switching on the lights." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2bff4fdc-4.jpg"  title="4"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2bff4fdc-4.jpg"  title="4" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The first order of business is switching on the lights.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="One of Ranjit’s most important tasks is to light the oil lamps and refill the oil when needed so the flames aren’t extinguished." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/a2821906-5.jpg"  title="5"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/a2821906-5.jpg"  title="5" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">One of Ranjit’s most important tasks is to light the oil lamps and refill the oil when needed so the flames aren’t extinguished.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Despite being a Sikh, Ranjit has a deep respect for the deities and gods in Sin Sze Si Ya Temple." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5d9644e3-6.jpg"  title="6"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/5d9644e3-6.jpg"  title="6" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Despite being a Sikh, Ranjit has a deep respect for the deities and gods in Sin Sze Si Ya Temple.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Ranjit sweeps the floors after devotees leave the prayer rooms." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/805d5818-7.jpg"  title="7"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/805d5818-7.jpg"  title="7" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Ranjit sweeps the floors after devotees leave the prayer rooms.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Part of Ranjit’s duties include arranging the fruit offerings on the altar." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2506fd01-8.jpg"  title="8"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2506fd01-8.jpg"  title="8" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Part of Ranjit’s duties include arranging the fruit offerings on the altar.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Ranjit removes burnt joss sticks from the temple’s many praying urns." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/045f67d2-9.jpg"  title="9"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/045f67d2-9.jpg"  title="9" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Ranjit removes burnt joss sticks from the temple’s many praying urns.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Using a small brush, Ranjit gently sweeps away ashes behind the praying urns at the end of the day before the temple closes." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/26ec7f64-10.jpg"  title="10"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/26ec7f64-10.jpg"  title="10" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Using a small brush, Ranjit gently sweeps away ashes behind the praying urns at the end of the day before the temple closes.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Ranjit checks the chambers where paper offerings are burnt." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/86680a42-11.jpg"  title="11"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/86680a42-11.jpg"  title="11" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Ranjit checks the chambers where paper offerings are burnt.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="It’s time for a quick washing of the hands after the day’s tasks are completed. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/940f9f43-12.jpg"  title="12"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/940f9f43-12.jpg"  title="12" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">It’s time for a quick washing of the hands after the day’s tasks are completed. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Wong Ai (extreme right) and her family have been the custodians of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple for decades, with Ranjit’s father working as a watchman there once and her siblings growing up on the temple’s grounds." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/e695397b-13.jpg"  title="13"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/e695397b-13.jpg"  title="13" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Wong Ai (extreme right) and her family have been the custodians of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple for decades, with Ranjit’s father working as a watchman there once and her siblings growing up on the temple’s grounds.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The photos of Ranjit’s parents and brother, who took over their father’s watchman position until he passed away in 2021, hang in the temple’s museum next door." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/afe3df1c-14.jpg"  title="14"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/afe3df1c-14.jpg"  title="14" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The photos of Ranjit’s parents and brother, who took over their father’s watchman position until he passed away in 2021, hang in the temple’s museum next door.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category2627934 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Ranjit takes great pride in her work as the temple’s caretaker." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/10e07f97-15.jpg"  title="15"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/10e07f97-15.jpg"  title="15" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Ranjit takes great pride in her work as the temple’s caretaker.</div></div></div></div></div><script>var rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24 = {"version":"3.2.1","id":2627934,"class":"id2627934","roboGalleryDelay":1000,"mainContainer":"#robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24","loadingContainer":"#rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24-block-loader","loadingContainerObj":"rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24-block-loader","columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"resolutions":[{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":960},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":650},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":450}],"descBox":true,"descBoxClass":"rbs_desc_panel_dark","lightboxOptions":{"gallery":{"enabled":true,"tCounter":"%curr% of %total%"}},"facebook":true,"twitter":true,"pinterest":true,"vk":true,"overlayEffect":"direction-aware-fade","boxesToLoadStart":12,"boxesToLoad":8,"waitUntilThumbLoads":1,"LoadingWord":"Loading...","loadMoreWord":"Load More","noMoreEntriesWord":"No More Entries","horizontalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"verticalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"lazyLoad":1,"wrapContainer":"#robo-gallery-wrap-rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24","filterContainer":"#rbs_gallery_6910e30f71d24filter","loadMoreClass":"button-flat-primary button-large "};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/js/robo_gallery_alt.js"></script><link id="gallery" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.css"><link id="font" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.font.css">


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A Punjabi caretaker’s day in KL’s oldest Taoist temple

Ranjit Kaur has been the caretaker of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple for 19 years, a job she is dedicated to despite being a Sikh herself.

Culture

Jalan Petaling

Religion

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple