Thean Hou Temple

We had heard about a Chinese Temple that was high on a high that overlooked the city

Being the curious people we are and wanting to do something “touristy”, we decided to check it out.

Sure enough, this is what we found at the bottom of the hill:

it definitely was perched up on a hill amid a residential area.

As we drove up the steep winding road this is what we saw:

It was constructed between 1981 and 1987.

It cost approximately 7 million Ringgit (Don’t know what the exchange rate was at the time but now it is 3rm to $1)

It officially opened in 1989

It is one of the largest temples in SE Asia and the largest in Kuala Lumpur.

This temple was built by the Hainanese community living in KL.

It was dedicated to the Goddess Tian Hou known as Heavenly Mother or Queen of Heaven.

The Thean Hou Temple is a 6 tired pagoda structure which combines elements of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism in it’s style of architecture and the elements included in the temple.

It, also, is a place where many activities are held:

Buddhist Activities:

Dharma Prayers

(chanting sequence for Buddhist Morning Prayers)

Wesak Day Celebrations

(a holy day to celebrate the birth, the enlightenment and the death of the Buddha)

Cultural Activities:

Mooncake Festival

Chinese New Year Celebration

Birthday Celebrations:

Thean Hou Goddess’ birthday celebrations

(said to be the biggest every held outside China)

As you approach the entrance to the temple you are greeted with red pillars which is symbolic of prosperity and good fortune.

Architectural techniques and designs are:

decorative beams

spectacular roofs

domed ceilings

murals 

elaborate embellishments

on our way up to the 3rd floor:

The temple consists of 4 levels with the main temple shrine located on the 3rd floor

Courtyard area:

Altar area outside the main prayer hall:

 joss stick box

 plates used when presenting food offerings

 Milefo (Laughing Buddha)

Joss sticks (or incense sticks) are lit and placed in these two big vats.

Incense when lit releases an aroma as a form of prayer and the rising smoke is a form of heavenly worship.

These are used in every day practice in the Chinese religions of Taoism and Buddhism.

View of the ceiling

Murals on the walls outside the prayer hall:

A painting, I believe, of Wei Tuo

Recognized as one of the eight divine protectors in Chinese Buddhism.  He appears here as a majestic general in his armor

This sign is outside the door into the prayer hall.....#4 is very interesting.....

Prayer Hall:

Shui Wei Sheng Niang - Goddess of the Waterfront

Tian Hou - Goddess of Heaven

Guan Yin - Goddess of Mercy

Fortune Telling:

Visitors can have their fortune told at the prayer hall for a contribution.

fortune telling machine - the drawers have numbers on them

pick up the numbered wood stick all together (like popsicle stick in width but about 3 times longer), known as Kau Cim....pray over them.....

then drop them back into the container.....one stick should stick up higher than the rest (if not do it again until one does)

pick up that stick.....read the number on it....march it to the corresponding drawer with that number.....

open the drawer.....pull out the slip of paper.....this has your fortune written in Cantonese and English.....your fortune for the year is told!

Pictures from inside the prayer hall:

looking directly up at the ceiling:

 Up to the 4th level for fantastic views of the city:

Views of the city....as promised:

Dragons are prominent throughout the temple.  According to tradition, the dragon is one of the most revered animals during ancient times.  The dragon is symbolic of life.

On the lower floor are the souvenir stalls:

Grounds around the temple:

Statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy

Here one can kneel on the ground stone and receive a blessing of water from the statue.

Kneeling on the stone is what causes the water to flow out.

Zodiac Garden:

Near the temple there is an open space park with statues of Chinese animal zodiacs.

It is a collection of 12 large animal statues representing the Chinese Astrology.  Each year an animal is assigned to that year.

2012 is the year of the Rabbit

(of which I don’t have a picture of....what was I thinking!?!)

Hope you enjoyed your tour of Thean Hou Temple.

If you ever come to visit us, we will take you there!

...till next time...