Kek lok Si Temple (Temple of Supreme Bliss)
Kek Lok Si Temple, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone : 04-82833174-8283317
The Kek Lok Si Temple or “Temple of Supreme Bliss” or “Temple of Sukhavati ” or “Jile Si” is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang facing the sea and commanding an impressive view, and is one of the best known temples on the island. It is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is also an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and other countries in Southeast Asia. This entire complex of temples was built over a period from 1890 to 1930, an inspirational initiative of Beow Lean, the Abbot. The main draw in the complex is the striking seven-storey Pagoda of Rama VI (Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas) with 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha, and the 30.2 metres (99 ft) tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin , the Goddess of Mercy.
Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and traditional Chinese rituals blend into a harmonious whole, both in the temple architecture and artwork as well as in the daily activities of worshippers. The temple is heavily commercialised with shops at every level and inside the main temple complexes selling all religious paraphernalia.
Most visitors approach the temple as they ascend a stairway, roofs of which provide shelter to a multitude of shops selling souvenirs and other – mostly secular – commodities. They pass by a so-called Liberation Pond, following the Buddhist tradition of merit-making, turtles may be released into freedom, albeit a limited one.
The Kek Lok Si temple itself consists of several large prayer halls and pavilions for assembly and prayer, statues of Buddha; various Bodhisattvas as well as Chinese gods are being venerated. The architectural features include carved pillars, fine woodwork, mostly painted in bright colours, and a plethora of lanterns add to the visual impression. Fish ponds and flower gardens are also part of the Kek Lok Si temple complex.
There is a cable car to carry pilgrims and visitors further uphill. On the elevated platform, there is a fish pond, and the towering statue of Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy which is worshipped by women to beget children. The monks and nuns, who are housed in a monastery and who are incharge maintenance and operation of the temple complex, consider it as a spiritual retreat to attain salvation.
Source : Wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnlWn1jjk0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8plvBGaV5Xg
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Visiting hours : 7.00am to 9.00pm, all days of the week
Entrance fee : Free to enter the temple, but you have to pay RM2 if you want to visit the Pagoda and RM2 each way to use the inclined lift.
Getting there : Bus numbers 201, 203 or 204 will take you to the base of the temple where you have to walk up the narrow lane and stairway full of the souvenir shops.
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