Penang Snake Temple

Thursday, May 17 2012

BUILT in 1850 to pay homage to a renowned healer from China, the Penang Snake Temple, located in Bayan Lepas, is one of its kind in the world. Also known as the Ban Kah Lan (in Hokkien) or Temple of the Azure Clouds, this temple’s resident deity is Chor Soo Kong, who according to local lore, was deified in Fujian after he brought rain to the drought-ridden area of Qing Yi. He was also a master healer. Read here for more on Chor Soo Kong.

In 1850, a monk arrived from China, bringing with him the statue of Chor Soo Kong. The monk then built a temple dedicated to this deity in a clearing by the Sungai Keluang river in Bayan Lepas. Previously owned by David Brown, the land was donated to the monk after he helped heal him from an unknown illness.

According to legend, soon after the temple was built, “snakes from the surrounding forest mysteriously appeared in the building. The monk who sees this strange phenomenon senses that it is a good omen and immediately gave shelter to the snakes and allowed them to take up residence in the temple. So far, only the species of pit vipers can be found here. The species is known to be venomous and aggressive but inside the temple, surprisingly all the snakes appeared docile. Devotees believe that the thick clouds coming out from the burn incense act as a tranquilliser causing the snakes appear to be motionless, even asleep.” (Penang Vacations)

Located within the temple site are two wells of rather mysterious origins. According to the temple trust, the two wells “represent a pair of red eyes of an auspicious dragon. In 1850, after the completion of the temple, it was said the Door of Heaven opened a fierce dragon (representing the heavenly spirit) appeared above the temple spreading its claws and danced several times. Finally, it landed in front of the temple with its tail facing the west, its body towards the east and its two eyes (the present two wells) observing the north-east. As this was an extraordinary position, it was believed to signify the best feng shui’position.

“The pair of eyes of the auspicious dragon transformed to two holy wells, the left one was 10ft deep and 3ft in diameter and the well on the right was 10ft deep and 2ft in diameter. As the water flowing in the wells was clear and sweet, the become a source of water supply to the villages. Those who drank from the wells had good fortune, good health and longevity. It was believed that the feng shui wells were divine gifts from Cheng Chooi Chor Soo.” (Source: Hokkien Kongsi, the trustee of Hock Hin Keong Temple)

There is also a 600-pound bell made from China during the Manchurian Dynasty (1886) hanging in the main hall. It is rung on the 1st and 15th days of every month of the Chinese calendar to invite the denizens of “heaven” and “hell” to pray.

Since its construction in 1850, the Snake Temple has undergone restorations in 1880, 1907, 1971, 1980 and the latest in 2008. During the latest year-long restoration, “the roof ornamentation, which are of broken pottery called chien nien were cleaned and repaired. Damaged figurines were either repaired or replaced. The stucco work and gables were then repainted, as were the roof ridges. Within the temple itself, the gilded pelmets were given a fresh coat of gold leaf as were the filigree screens. During the restoration process, the snakes were moved out of the way, and were only returned to the altars when the temple reopened.” (Penang Travel Tips)

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