With Chinese New Year around the corner, Ewe Paik Leong visits some temples in the Klang Valley
1. KUAN TI TEMPLE, JALAN TUN H.S. LEE, KL
Dedicated to Kuan Ti, the God of War, this temple dates back to 1888. A pair of male and female lions standing on pedestals guard its gateway. The male has a ball; the female, a cub. Further protection against evil spirits is afforded by two Door Gods. The deity’s birthday is celebrated on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, and special prayers are held during Chinese New Year. Interestingly, many law enforcement personnel worship Kuan Ti so that they will discharge their duties safely.
2. SIN SZE SI YA TEMPLE, LEBUH PUDU, KL
Yap Ah Loy, the first Chinese Kapitan of KL, built this temple in 1883 to honour Sze Si Ya and Sin Si Ya, two of his commanders who helped him when he fought alongside Tengku Kudin during the Selangor Civil War. Some of the artefacts displayed are weapons belonging to Sze and Sin, an old bell and a sedan chair that was used for processions. On the eve and first day of Chinese New Year, some devotees crawl under the table in front of the main altar to get blessings for personal safety.
3. CHAN SHEE SHU YUEN TEMPLE, JALAN PETALING, KL
The green roofs and walls of this temple have earned it the moniker Green Temple. It was built in 1897 to function as a clan house and converted to a temple when its original purpose ceased. Characteristic of Cantonese-style temple architecture, the layout plan is symmetrical, the roof ridge is straight and the front prayer pavilion is absent. Instead, there is an open courtyard. On the faćade wall of the building are four panels with terracotta figurines from Chinese mythology.
4. KUAN YIN TEMPLE, JALAN MAHARAJALELA, KL
This quaint temple sits atop a hillock next to the Maharajalela Monorail station. Though named after the Thousand Arm Goddess of Mercy, Lord Buddha takes pride of place on the altar, and several other deities such as Tua Pek Kong are also worshipped. The curved header of its archway is decorated with paintings of mythological characters. Come here at 12.30pm and be soothed by Buddhist chanting. The temple was built in 1898.
5. LENG ENG TIAN TEMPLE, JALAN SS 9A/5, PJ
Children love to come here to feed the tortoises in the ponds at the base of the pagodas. Though colourful on the exterior, the interior walls and ceiling of the temple have been darkened by years of smoke from the burning of joss-sticks and incense. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is celebrated here annually with mediums going into a trance to dispense paper amulets, fire-walking procession and eating of vegetarian food.
6. KOW ONG YAH TEMPLE, JALAN MERDEKA, AMPANG
Founded in 1862, this temple has undergone several renovations, and its present structure is flanked by two pagodas. Its curved roof is two-tiered and is decorated with phoenixes and dragons. During the celebration of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, from the first to ninth day of the ninth lunar month, opera shows are performed and vegetarian food is served to devotees. One day before the fire-walking procession, there is a crossing-the-bridge ceremony.
Devotees believe that their bad luck will be absorbed by the water under the bridge when they walk over it.
7. CHOO SING TONG TEMPLE, JALAN MANGGA, KL
Situated on the bank of the Batu River, this temple is a mini tourist attraction by itself. Both river banks are decorated with statutes from the Taoism pantheon and of legendary monk Hsuan Tsang and his three escorts — Monkey King, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing. Motifs on the temple’s outer walls depict tales of filial piety. They include that of a destitute man who sold himself as a slave so as to buy a coffin for his dead father. You can end your visit with a meal at a restaurant opposite the temple.
8. CHEOK BEH KEING TEMPLE, JALAN KG BANDAR DALAM, KL
Founded in 1895, this temple is dedicated to the deity Cheok Beh Keing. Yellow dragons are curled around its porch pillars and interior pillars. Hokkien temple architecture is displayed through the curved roof, and its ridges are decorated with dragons, which are considered auspicious animals. When the front doors are closed, the motifs of two fierce-looking Door Gods can be seen. The temple comes alive with opera shows when the deity’s birthday is celebrated on the 12th day of the sixth lunar month.
9. SAM KOW TONG, JALAN THAMBIPILLAY, KL
Built in 1916, this temple has often been overlooked by tourists because its back wall faces the main road. Of Hokkien architecture, the temple features roof ridges that sweep upwards. The horizontal wall friezes of the front porch are decorated with paintings of flowers, and there are also painted tiles on the faćade wall. At the back of the temple is installed Cai Shen, the God of Wealth. Interestingly, the deity’s image is a string puppet salvaged from a puppet theatre from days of yore.
10. NAM YIN TONG, JALAN SASARAN, JERAM
In the village of Jeram, 60km west of Kuala Lumpur, stands the newly built Nam Ying Tong, which is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. A massive dragon goes around three exterior walls of the temple. Visitors can walk inside the dragon to the back where there is a koi pond. The front yard of the temple is taken up by massive granite statues of deities. The goddess’ birthday is celebrated three times a year — on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar month. A short distance from the temple lies Sasaran Art, a field which exhibits sculptures.