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Penang Snake Temple

Penang Snake Temple is one of Taoist Places for Worship. The story goes to tell you that the snake enters the temple after the temple is built. I wonder how it was named before the snake got there.

On the sixth day of Chinese New Year, we drove to Bayan Lepas, where Chor Soo Kong Temple is situated.

The Temple of Azure Cloud or Chor Soo Kong Temple, must be then when there is not much development that this name was given. Supposedly this location in Bayan Lepas has the most peaceful and tranquil cloud and jungle wriggling snakes.

I hardly go to the Penang Snake Temple as I am not all together friends of snakes.

Story of Chor Soo Kong

As it is also the birthday of Chor Soo Kong, we wanted to see whether there were lots of snakes. I remembered hearing about the snakes. They seem to find their way to the Penang Snake Temple as they know it is their big day.

Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas Penang
Chor Soo Kong Temple, Temple of the Azure Clouds in Bayan Lepas Penang

That much I know and Dad told us when we were young, about a Taoist monk from China. Chor Soo Kong was born with the Tan surname in China during the Song Dynasty.

He was very into spirituality and was ordained when he was young. Since young, he was around snakes and was their care taker. Only when he died did they bestowed the title "Chor Soo" to him for his meritorious deeds he has done.

The title 'Chor Soo" as I was trying to understand when this older folks shared means this person will be remembered and revered by the community forever. No wonder we never forget Chor Soo Kong. 

This monk carried the statue of Chor Soo Kong to Penang, all the way from China. Same time he brought with him the miracles stories and healing powers of the Great Chor Soo Kong.

British Resident, David Brown

Orang Puteh, British resident and owner of Glugor Estate was cured of a sickness in 1873.

Nun on Duty in Snake Temple
Nun on duty performing their divine role of servic

The British Resident David Brown donated a piece of land so that a temple was built in homage of Chor Soo Kong who healed him and so named it Penang Snake Temple.

Three dimensional sculptures on the roof

What I truly like about this temple is the three dimensional sculptures on the roof.

It is worth the trip of going up to Bayan Lepas to pray, see the roof and the snake farm.

Then you get to see a 600 year old Manchurian Bell in the main hall of the Penang Snake temple.

Beautiful Architecture on the roof
Three dimensional Sculptures on the roof

I was told, it will be rung  on the 1st and 15th of every month following the Chinese calendar.

Want more pictures of the Snake Temple?

The Green Vipers

After the Penang Snake Temple was built, understandably (using my modern mind) snakes from the forest appeared in the temple. Being kind, the monk gave shelter to the snakes and since then, it became their home.

Viper resting on tree in Snake Temple Penang
Mostly, little green vipers, sleeping away. But don't for a moment think you can steal a touch. Better be gentle.

There are not much snakes now. I guess development around the area has disturbed the natural habitat of the snakes.

The few snakes I can see appear to be motionless, maybe dizzy "pening"  from the smoke.

Mostly, little green vipers, sleeping away. But don't for a moment think you can steal a touch.

Better be gentle. Handle them with care. They look docile but in the hearts of heart, vipers are venomous and aggressive

One will coil the snake round your body or where ever you want while the other snap away.

You get to see a collection of some snaps he has taken displayed.

Other things to see

A new wing at the back of the original temple houses Kuan Yin, goddess of Mercy. There is chanting of the sutras at 5am daily if you are interested.

Tourist taking photos with a viper
Visitor with a snake round his neck.

A snake farm with more then 50 species  snakes.

You get to see local snakes like  vipers, king cobras, pythons, tree snakes, racers, kraits, water snakes, cat’s-eye, paradise tree snakes and the rare albino cobra.

Taking Pictures with Mr. Long (Snakes) ha ha

In the main hall, two guys were busy putting taking snaps of visitors

The farm is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.

Admission is RM5 for adults and RM1 for children aged 12 and below.

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Queen Street Temple
This temple is believed to be the oldest temple in Penang.

It stands on a piece of land that was granted by the British authorities in 1801 to Betty Lingam Chetty.

It is located in the present Queen Street, which is a busy commercial part of Georgetown.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Today's the Nyonya community still takes pride in their heritage. Try as they might, the younger generation would embed some of our rich culture but much have been lost over the generations since their forefathers' time.

Introducing the new addition to the family by way of tea ceremony is an old world charm and efforts to preserve this rituals is well received and on going for the Chinese community.

Tea Ceremony

Cave of Darkness
Guar Kelam, otherwise known as the ‘Cave of Darkness,’ was used for habitation by prehistoric man, 5000 BC, and animals, and thereafter.

There have been found human bones and teeth in the cave, as well as a gathering of animal bones from time immemorial.

Cave Of Darkness