Impressive Buddhist Temple - Must Visit

Construction started in 1891, Kek Lok Si Temple of Penang is one of the largest temples complexes in Southeast Asia, expansion has continued since then. With millions of images of Buddha and hundreds of beautiful cravings, sculptures and murals in the complex, Kek Lok Si Temple is not just a religious site but also an unique heritage treasure.

The main draw in the complex is the striking seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas with 10,000 alabaster and bronze statues of Buddha, and the bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy.

In 1930, the seven-storey main pagoda of the temple, the "Ban Po Thar" (萬佛塔, "Pagoda of the Ten Thousand Buddhas"), a 30-metre-high (98 ft) structure, was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown (spiral dome); reflecting the temple's amalgam of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. It represents syncretism of the ethnic and religious diversity in the country. King Rama VI of Thailand laid the foundation for the pagoda, so it is also named "Rama Pagoda".

In 2002, a 30.2-metre (99 ft) bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, was completed and opened to the public. The statue is complemented with a 60.9 metres (200 ft) three-tiered roof pavilion (with 16 columns made of bronze supporting the pavilion), which was completed in 2009. It is the tallest Guanyin statue in the world. One hundred statues of the goddess Kuan Yin, each of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) height, are set around the main statue of the goddess.

Beside the 2 main structures, the complex has other very beautiful prayer halls and different temples which one can spend 2-3 hours to slowly explore. Best way to see this magnificent complex is to get a hired car to drive up to the Goddess of Mercy statue and slowly make your way down to the entrance.

Visit our main guide for Penang here - bit.ly/CTWPenang

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Post by Eat See Travel | Jul 1, 2022