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Coordinates: 5°18′50.20″N 100°17′06.71″E / 5.3139444°N 100.2851972°E / 5.3139444; 100.2851972
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== Features ==
== Features ==
The temple is filled with the smoke of burning [[incense]] and a variety of [[pit viper]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/07/257766/penang-scotsmans-legacy|title=A Penang Scotsman's legacy|author=Alan Teh Leam Seng|publisher=New Straits Times|date=16 July 2017|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have been de-venomed but still have their [[fangs]] intact.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref name="Penang snake temple"/> Other species of snake also available in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2011/04/23/python-the-star-attraction-at-snake-temple/|title=Python the star attraction at Snake Temple|author=Anthony Tan|work=The Star|date=23 April 2011|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> Visitors are warned against picking up the [[reptiles]] and placing them on their bodies to take pictures. Aside from the snakes, two brick wells known as the "Dragon Eye Wells/Dragon Pure Water Wells" are located inside the temple together with two giant brass bells.<ref name="Snake temple background"/> In 2005, a snake breeding centre was set up in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/>
The temple is filled with the smoke of burning [[incense]] and a variety of [[pit viper]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/07/257766/penang-scotsmans-legacy|title=A Penang Scotsman's legacy|author=Alan Teh Leam Seng|publisher=New Straits Times|date=16 July 2017|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> The [[Viperidae|vipers]] are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have been de-venomed but still have their [[fangs]] intact.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref name="Penang snake temple"/> Other species of snake also available in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2011/04/23/python-the-star-attraction-at-snake-temple/|title=Python the star attraction at Snake Temple|author=Anthony Tan|work=The Star|date=23 April 2011|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> Visitors are warned against picking up the [[reptiles]] and placing them on their bodies to take pictures. Aside from the snakes, two brick wells known as the "Dragon Eye Wells/Dragon Pure Water Wells" are located inside the temple together with two giant brass bells.<ref name="Snake temple background"/> In 2005, a snake breeding centre was set up in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/>


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Revision as of 22:31, 16 March 2021

Snake Temple
蛇庙
Front view of Snake Temple
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism, Taoism
DistrictSouthwest Penang Island District
Location
LocationBayan Lepas, George Town
StatePenang
CountryMalaysia
Geographic coordinates5°18′50.20″N 100°17′06.71″E / 5.3139444°N 100.2851972°E / 5.3139444; 100.2851972
Architecture
TypeChinese temple
Completed1805

The Snake Temple (Chinese: 蛇庙; pinyin: Shé Miào; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tsuâ-biō) (also called as the Temple of the Azure Cloud)[1] is a Chinese temple situated in Bayan Lepas, Southwest Penang Island District, Penang, Malaysia. It was built in 1805 for Chor Soo Kong (祖師公), a Buddhist monk.[1][2] Devotees from as far away as Singapore, Taiwan and China come to pray in the temple on the monk's birthday (the sixth day of the first lunar month).[3]

The temple also featured during the 8th leg of The Amazing Race 16 and become a location in Tan Twan Eng's novel "The Gift of Rain" (book 1, chapter 4).[4]

History

The temple was constructed in the 1805 to honour Chor Soo Kong (also known as Qingshui), a Buddhist monk who lived during the Song dynasty (960–1279) for his numerous good deeds especially in healing the sick and giving shelter to snakes.[1][2] When the temple structure is completed in the 1800s, snakes coming from the species of Wagler's pit viper reportedly appeared by themselves.[1][5]

Features

The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers.[6] The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have been de-venomed but still have their fangs intact.[2][3] Other species of snake also available in the temple.[2][7] Visitors are warned against picking up the reptiles and placing them on their bodies to take pictures. Aside from the snakes, two brick wells known as the "Dragon Eye Wells/Dragon Pure Water Wells" are located inside the temple together with two giant brass bells.[1] In 2005, a snake breeding centre was set up in the temple.[2]

  • Signboard of the temple inside its compound.
    Signboard of the temple inside its compound.
  • Snake dance in the temple compound during night.
    Snake dance in the temple compound during night.
  • The temple outside area.
    The temple outside area.
  • Viper snakes inside the temple.
    Viper snakes inside the temple.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Gregory Rodgers (30 May 2018). "A Tour of the Snake Temple in Penang, Malaysia". TripSavvy. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e Choong Kwee Kim (9 July 2005). "New lure at snake temple in Penang". The Star. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Erny Suzira (10 January 2016). "Famous places to visit in Malaysia: Penang". The Hive Asia. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  4. ^ Tan Twan Eng. "The Gift of Rain". Retrieved 11 March 2019 – via Goodreads.
  5. ^ Clive Roots (2006). Nocturnal Animals. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 39–. ISBN 978-0-313-33546-4.
  6. ^ Alan Teh Leam Seng (16 July 2017). "A Penang Scotsman's legacy". New Straits Times. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  7. ^ Anthony Tan (23 April 2011). "Python the star attraction at Snake Temple". The Star. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
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