Religious, Spiritual sights in Malaysia
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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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Tua Pek Kong Temple
Tua Pek Kong Temple is an interesting riverside Chinese temple where, if you’re lucky, you’ll find Mr Tan Teck Chiang in attendance. Mr Tan will give you a tour of the temple and explain (in lavish detail) his interpretation of Taoism and Buddhism. You can also scale the seven-storey pagoda to get a brilliant view over the town and the muddy Batang Rejang as it makes its way seaward.
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Guandi Temple
The 1886 Guandi Temple is full of atmosphere. The main hall is hung with fragrant coils of spiral incense, paper clothes and money that are burned to bring good fortune to the ancestors. The temple is dedicated to Kwan Ti, a historical Chinese general revered by Taoists as the god of war.
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Rumah Berhala Tow Boo Kong
If you're a Chinese-temple freak, it's worth checking out Rumah Berhala Tow Boo Kong which began its existence as a shed on a rented piece of land in 1971. The temple blossomed little by little and was completed in its final form in the year 2000. It's exceedingly ornate for a modern edifice, with a dramatic roof swarming with curving pagodas and golden dragons. It's home to a Taoist group who worship the Nine Emperor Gods, the nine sons of the Queen of Heaven, who are the patron deities of, among other things, prosperity and health.
Their festival, called none other than the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month each year when the …
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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.
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City Mosque
Heading north out of KK, you can’t miss the four minarets and graceful dome of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, in Kampung Likas, about 4km north of the city centre. Overlooking the South China Sea, this mosque is more attractive than the State Mosque in terms of setting and design. Completed in 2000, it can hold up to 12,000 worshippers. It can be entered by non-Muslims outside of regular prayer times. To get there, take bus 5A from Wawasan Plaza going toward UMS (RM1.50). Just ask the conductor to drop you off outside the City Mosque after the Tanjung Lipat round about. Taxis are about RM15 each way.
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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.
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Thean Hou Temple
Off Jln Syed Putra, the multilayered and highly ornate Thean Hou Temple is one of the most visually impressive in Malaysia. It’s dedicated to the Heavenly Mother, Thean Hou. Her statue takes centre stage in the main hall, with Guanyin (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) on her right and Shuiwei Shengniang (the Goddess of the Waterfront) to her left. Statues of Milefo (the laughing Buddha), Weituo and Guandi further contribute to this Taoist/Buddhist hodgepodge.
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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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State Mosque
A fine example of contemporary Islamic architecture, the State Mosque is set some distance from the heat and noise of central KK. It’s south of the city centre past the Kampung Air stilt village, not far from the Sabah Museum; you’ll see the striped minaret and Octopussy-style dome on your way to or from the airport. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed inside, but must dress appropriately and remove their shoes before entering.
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Masjid Jamek
Set in a grove of palm trees is KL’s most delightful mosque, Masjid Jamek. Built in 1907, the mosque is a tranquil creation of onion domes and minarets of layered pink and cream bricks. Designed again by AB Hubbock, who sought inspiration from Mogul mosques in India, it stands at the confluence of the Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak – where KL’s founders first set foot. Dress appropriately if you wish to enter.
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Fortune-Teller Booths
Uncover your destiny at one of several little Chinese fortune-teller booths along Jonker's Walk on Friday and Saturday nights. The local Chinese in Malaysia frequently consult these mystics to ask for advice or to find out the most auspicious times of the year for certain occasions (such as weddings, financial investments, travel etc). Techniques range from card reading to fortune sticks, palm reading and Chinese astrology.
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Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery
Just down the road from the consumer excesses of Suria KLCC, you can retreat into quiet meditation at this expansive Buddhist temple . Although modern, the calm spaces, potted bonsai, mandala ceilings and giant gilded statues create an appropriately contemplative mood. The shrine is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion, represented by the central statue in the main shrine.
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Masjid Negara
The contemporary-styled Masjid Negara is distinguished by a spikey 73m-high minaret and star-shaped main dome, its 18 points symbolising the 13 states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam. The overall design was inspired by the Grand Mosque in Mecca. To go inside you must remove your shoes and dress appropriately (no shorts or skimpy clothing).
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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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Kampung Baru Mosque
Built in 1924 with a handsome gateway decorated with eye-catching tiles in traditional Islamic patterns. Stalls around the mosque sell religious paraphernalia, including white kopia and black songkok, the traditional head coverings for Malay Muslim men. It's a short stroll west from here to Chow Kit and the Bazaar Baru market.
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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.
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Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple
Right next to the Penang Bird Park is Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple, a South Indian Hindu temple with the largest and tallest (22m) rajagopuram (main temple tower) in Malaysia. The entrance to the rajagopuram is also the largest in the country at nearly 6.5m. The temple was completed in 1997.
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St Peter’s Church
The oldest functioning Catholic church in Malaysia, St Peter’s Church was built in 1710 by descendants of early Portuguese settlers. On Good Friday the church comes alive when the Melakans flock here, many of them making it the occasion for a trip home from far-flung parts of the country.
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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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St Mary's Cathedral
At the far end of the Merdeka Square is St Mary's Cathedral, looking every inch the white-washed English country church. The church was built in 1894 by the colonial administration and it still maintains a small Anglican congregation. The best time to visit is during the 17:00 Sunday service.
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