Religious, Spiritual sights in Georgetown
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Kek Lok Si Temple
The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia was founded in 1890 by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist. To reach the entrance, walk through arcades of souvenir stalls, past a tightly packed turtle pond and murky fish ponds, until you reach Ban Po Thar, a seven-tier, 30m (98ft) tower. The design is said to be Burmese at the top, Chinese at the bottom and Thai in between.
In another three-storey shrine, there's a large Thai Buddha image that was donated by King Bhumibol of Thailand. Presiding high above all the temple structures is a striking bronze figure of Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy. The temple's name translates, quite delightfully, as 'Temple of Supreme Bliss'.
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Wat Buppharam
Is there a question in your life that needs answering? Head to Wat Buppharam , a 1942 Buddhist temple bursting with cartoonlike sculptures of Thai, Taoist and Hindu religious figures. The ornate Thai entrance archway is the largest in the state. The wat is home to the 'Lifting Buddha,' a 100-year-old, gold-leaf encrusted Buddha statue about the size of a well-fed house cat.
As a seeker, kneel in front of the statue, pay respects to the figure with a clear mind and then ask, in your mind, the yes or no question you wish to have answered; ask also that you wish for the figure to become light for an affirmative answer. Try to lift the statue. To verify the answer, ask your …
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Sri Mariamman Temple
For local Tamils, the Sri Mariamman Temple fulfils the purpose of a Hokkien clanhouse: it’s a reminder of the motherland and the community bonds forged within the diaspora. In this case, those bonds don’t come from a benevolent society, but a typically South Indian temple, dominated by its entrance tower or gopuram. Erupting with sculpture, the tower serves several purposes: it represents Mt Meru, the cosmic mountain that supports the heavens, and delineates the line between this world and the realm of the gods, which begins in the temple compound. Local Tamils pay homage to Tamil Nadu by worshipping Mariamman, a mother goddess popular with diaspora Indians who repres…
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Kuan Yin Teng
On Lebuh Pitt is the temple of Kuan Yin Teng – the goddess of mercy, good fortune, peace and fertility. Built in the early 19th century by the first Hokkien and Cantonese settlers in Penang, the temple is not large or especially impressive, but it’s very central and popular with the Chinese community. It seems to be forever swathed in smoke from the outside furnaces, where worshippers burn paper money, and from the incense sticks waved around inside. It’s a very busy place, and Chinese theatre takes place on the goddess’ birthday, celebrated on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar months.
reviewed
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Penang Buddhist Association temple
Completed in 1931, this unusual Buddhist temple is about 1km west of town. Instead of the typical colourful design of most Chinese temples, this one shows Art Deco influences and looks like a frosted cake, all white and pastel. Interior Buddha figures are carved from Italian marble, and glass chandeliers hang above. Penang's Buddhist community gathers here on Wesak Day (April/May) to celebrate the triple holy-day of the Buddha's birthday, attainment of enlightenment and death.
reviewed
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Hainan Temple
Probably the coolest feature of this temple is its impressive stone courtyard and the carved pillar work throughout said space, which is bedecked with more red paper lanterns than usual. This duochrome backdrop of slate and crimson looks like it should be the scene of the final fight in a kung fu movie or a Mortal Kombat video game. In fact, the Hainan Temple, completed in 1895, is dedicated to Mar Chor, China’s patron saint of seafarers.
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Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
As one of Malaysia's most Chinese states - and while Malaysia is officially and predominantly Muslim, the Chinese population has remained mostly Buddhist - Penang has an uncommonly diverse and burgeoning Buddhist community that embraces not only traditional Chinese Buddhism, but also the Thai, Burmese, Sinhalese and Tibetan schools of Buddhist philosophy.
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Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple
The Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple was built in 1805 and is Penang's first Buddhist temple. It has two large stone elephants flanking the gates and has been significantly added to over the years. It stands opposite the Wat Chayamangkalaram (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). Take the Teluk Bahang-bound bus U101 from Weld Quay or Komtar.
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St George’s Church
Behind the Supreme Court, St George’s Church is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. This gracefully proportioned building, with its marble floor and towering spire, was built in 1818 with convict labour. In the grounds there is an elegant little pavilion, housing a memorial plaque to Captain Francis Light.
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Loo Pun Hong
The tiny Loo Pun Hong is one of the most unobtrusive of Penang’s Chinese temples. Built in the 1880s, it is dedicated to Lo Pan, legendary inventor of carpentry tools, and is Malaysia’s oldest carpenters’ guild house. Set back from the lane, it has an ornate altar inside along with a giant drum and bell.
reviewed
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Nattukotai Chettiar Temple
The Nattukotai Chettiar Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Penang and is dedicated to Bala Subramaniam. Nearby, further along Waterfall Rd, on the left side, is a gate leading up to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the destination of the Thaipusam procession from Little India's Sri Mariamman Temple.
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Teochew Temple
The Teochew Temple is a peaceful refuge. Browse the diorama explaining the impressive restoration of this 1870 building that was built by Penang's Teochew (Chaozhou) community, which orginated from southern China. Ask the attendant if any Teochew opera or music performances are scheduled.
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Mahindarama Temple
The Sinhalese Mahindarama Temple attracts an English-educated crowd. Zen Buddhism has yet to make much of an impact, while Tibetan Buddhism is becoming increasingly popular since the Dalai Lama's much publicised visit to Malaysia in 1981.
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Tan Kongsi
Built in 1878, the ornate interior of this temple of the Tan clan is reminiscent of Khoo Kongsi (Penang's most famous and ornate clan house). Today, Tan is one of Penang's most common surnames.
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Kek Lok Si Monastery
The venerable Miao Lian came from China to construct the Kek Lok Si Monastery, which would become Malaysia's biggest Buddhist temple. In 1925 the Penang Buddhist Association was founded.
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Masjid Negeri
The glossy, modern Masjid Negeri is about 5km west of town. It's the biggest Mosque in Penang with a striking 50m-high minaret,
reviewed
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P
Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple
The Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple was built in 1805 and is Penang's first Buddhist temple. It has two large stone elephants flanking the gates and has been significantly added to over the years. It stands opposite the Wat Chayamangkalaram (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). Take the Teluk Bahang-bound bus U101 from Weld Quay or Komtar.
reviewed
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Q
Penang Buddhist Association temple
Completed in 1931, this unusual Buddhist temple is about 1km west of town. Instead of the typical colourful design of most Chinese temples, this one shows Art Deco influences and looks like a frosted cake, all white and pastel. Interior Buddha figures are carved from Italian marble, and glass chandeliers hang above. Penang's Buddhist community gathers here on Wesak Day (April/May) to celebrate the triple holy-day of the Buddha's birthday, attainment of enlightenment and death.
reviewed
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R
Nattukotai Chettiar Temple
The Nattukotai Chettiar Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Penang and is dedicated to Bala Subramaniam. Nearby, further along Waterfall Rd, on the left side, is a gate leading up to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the destination of the Thaipusam procession from Little India's Sri Mariamman Temple.
reviewed
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S
Masjid Negeri
The glossy, modern Masjid Negeri is about 5km west of town. It's the biggest Mosque in Penang with a striking 50m-high minaret,
reviewed
Advertisement
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Sri Mariamman Temple
For local Tamils, the Sri Mariamman Temple fulfils the purpose of a Hokkien clanhouse: it’s a reminder of the motherland and the community bonds forged within the diaspora. In this case, those bonds don’t come from a benevolent society, but a typically South Indian temple, dominated by its entrance tower or gopuram. Erupting with sculpture, the tower serves several purposes: it represents Mt Meru, the cosmic mountain that supports the heavens, and delineates the line between this world and the realm of the gods, which begins in the temple compound. Local Tamils pay homage to Tamil Nadu by worshipping Mariamman, a mother goddess popular with diaspora Indians who repres…
reviewed
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U
Loo Pun Hong
The tiny Loo Pun Hong is one of the most unobtrusive of Penang’s Chinese temples. Built in the 1880s, it is dedicated to Lo Pan, legendary inventor of carpentry tools, and is Malaysia’s oldest carpenters’ guild house. Set back from the lane, it has an ornate altar inside along with a giant drum and bell.
reviewed
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V
Kuan Yin Teng
On Lebuh Pitt is the temple of Kuan Yin Teng – the goddess of mercy, good fortune, peace and fertility. Built in the early 19th century by the first Hokkien and Cantonese settlers in Penang, the temple is not large or especially impressive, but it’s very central and popular with the Chinese community. It seems to be forever swathed in smoke from the outside furnaces, where worshippers burn paper money, and from the incense sticks waved around inside. It’s a very busy place, and Chinese theatre takes place on the goddess’ birthday, celebrated on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar months.
reviewed
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W
Hainan Temple
Probably the coolest feature of this temple is its impressive stone courtyard and the carved pillar work throughout said space, which is bedecked with more red paper lanterns than usual. This duochrome backdrop of slate and crimson looks like it should be the scene of the final fight in a kung fu movie or a Mortal Kombat video game. In fact, the Hainan Temple, completed in 1895, is dedicated to Mar Chor, China’s patron saint of seafarers.
reviewed
