I think the temple is dedicated to Na Cha. Was it called Na Cha Miew (as in Na Cha Temple)? Even if I were wrong about the name, I distinctly remember going there during the 9 Emperor festival (Kow Wong Yeh) to partake of the vegetarian food. Sometimes, you got to see possessed temple monks flogging themselves with sharp blades and spiked chains, and fire walking.

During the same festival, the temple would bring out a chair covered with nails. Apparently, the spiky throne was meant for the gods, which you couldn't see of course. I recall looking upon the mean looking spikes aghast with the thought of acccidentally falling on them. Ah, the fears of a 10 year old kid...

As a child cycling past the temple on my trusty Chopper (I was actually escaping from home tuition), I remember seeing Chinese chestnuts (ma tai) growing from the shrubs covering the fences. Could you actually grow them in Ipoh, or was I hallucinating then?

Thanks for the photos of Sarmukh Road. Despite the drastic makeover, I must agree with Burt Bacharach:
"I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me
And every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be
You'll always be a part of me
How can I forget you
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me"