Malaysia – Penang; Visit to Kek Lok Si Temple (1)

Hi there!! Welcome back to my blog.

Today’s posting will be a place in Penang, Malaysia; Kek Lok Si Temple. I went there with my kids a few months back and now, I have finally got my share it with my readers about this place and it’s beauty.

A bit of history about this place before I continue. It  is one of the best known Buddhist temples on the Penang island (and also in South East Asia) and situated in Air Itam. Translated from Penang Hokkien, it means “Temple of Supreme Bliss” or “Temple of Sukhavati”. It was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple at Pitt Street, Penang and construction began in 1890.

A seven storey main pagoda of the temple or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed in 1930. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown. It reflecting the temple’s embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

The other attraction is the bronze statue of the Kuan Yin which stands 30.2m, was completed in 2002 and open to the public.  This replaced the previous white plaster Kuan Yin statue which was damaged due to a fire a few years earlier. The temple is a focal point of festivals of the Chinese community in Penang especially during the the Chinese New Year celebrations.  For 30 days following Chinese New Year, the temple remains open until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of light and this is very impressive view!! =)

Ok.. enough of reading. Let’s continue our journey. =)

View from the bottom of the hill taken from the open car park.

Statues seen in the open car park. I believe these statues will be brought up to the temple when they are completed.

Walking along to road at bottom of the hill of Air Hitam. You can see the pagoda and also the Kuan Yin which stands out.

There is a market near the temple where every weekends it will be filled with lots of people and cars.

Stall selling all sorts of lanterns…

Lots of motorbikes seen outside the wet market.

Food stall outside the market. It is a good place to try some of the local food of Penang here.  =)

Clear signboard leading to the temple; Kek Lok Si Temple.

Well.. stay tune with me. More on the wet market and the surrounding area before we head up the steps to the temple. If you like.. then keep following me… and ‘walk along side’ with me on this trip. =)