79. Kek Lok Si Temple

My driver/guide was a lovely man by the name of Zali and he told me his life story as we drove around. I have broken the tour into different sections as there is so much to see and cover. The first part is about Kek Lok Si temple.

Temple of Supreme Bliss
Construction of the temple began in 1890 and has become Penang’s most well-known landmark. It is the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia.

Above: Pagoda of Rama VI
Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, the signature emblem of Kek Lok Si Temple

In 1930 the seven storey main pagoda of the temple or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown; reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

Above: Pagoda

Above: Lower level
The sunken garden in the foreground of Ban Po Thar pagoda.

Above: Shrine
Gazebo covering a large plaster Buddha image.

Above: Corridor of Kek Lok Si strung with new year lanterns

Above: The Ordination Hall at Kek Lok Si

Above: Kek Lok Si Temple - on the second level

Above: Traditional architecture at Kek Lok Si

Above: Pagoda entrance at the hilltop
A Chinese zodiac garden is located in front of the prayer hall.

 

Above: The Water Pavilion

 

Above: Cable car station
This is the view of the inclined lift station. It is the only access point to get here.

 

Above: The Liberation Pond (Sacred Turtle Pond)
Chinese tradition believes that a turtle is a symbol of longevity, strength and
endurance. It is an act of spiritual liberation when a turtle is captured and set free in this pond.

 

Above: Many Buddhas with a svastika

Kuan Yin
The Kuan Yin Goddess of Mercy Pavilion is an enormous pavilion and shelters the gigantic statue of the Kuan Yin, or Goddess of Mercy. The consecration of the pavilion was conducted on Sunday 6th December, 2009. The date was chosen as it coincided with the 118th anniversary of the founding of Kek Lok Si Temple.

Above: Kuan Yin's Rooftop
The Goddess of Mercy Pavilion is 82.7 meters tall, from its base to the tip, equivalent to the height of a 20-storey building. The roof is a three-tier pagoda supported by 16 granite pillars embellished with ornate carvings. Each of the pillars comprises 40 cylindrical blocks which are made of granite with a thickness of 45 centimeters. Each cylinder block has a circumference of 2.1 meters. The pavilion was built at a cost of RM40 million.

Above: Kuan Yin
The 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda. This statue was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002

Above: Kuan Yin
The present Kuan Yin statue is the second for Kek Lok Si Temple. The idea for a statue was initiated back in 1976. The first statue was completed in 1977 at the cost of RM1.8 million. However heavy rain and a fire which broke out in 1993 damaged it.

Above: Kuan Yin

Above: Main prayer hall
The new prayer hall is quite opulent and intricately carved columns support the roof. Opposite the entry doors the wall is lined with three large Buddha images. The ceiling, pillars and walls hold wonderful paintings and carvings and there is a feeling of peacefullness.

Above: Shrine at upper level at Kek Lok Si

A funny thing happened on my way to the...
Ladies Loo! I had determined that I was not going to use an Asian toilet, and had made it my goal not too. The only loos were up here on the top level and as I ran to them as if my life depended on it (well it did in a way ~ it would never do to have an.....accident☺) on reaching them I saw to my disamy there were no Western toilets, only the Asian kind. I couldn't possible wait until the tour was finished so it was a quick dash to the souvenir shop, buy a packet of tissues and race back again. Needless to say, I really do not like the hole in the ground type and will always opt for the Western type. I did like the pictures on the wall though.

Above: Ladies Loo at Kek Lok Si

What goes up, must come down

Above: Incline lift - going up
The incline lift is more of a tram -- an elevator-sized glass box mounted on rails which goes up to the terrace above the existing temple where the goddess stands.
Use of the lift costs RM 2 each way, but this was included in the tour.

Above: Incline lift - going down

Above: An alternative to the lift at Kek Lok Si
Instead of using the cable car, you can always climb up the stairs ~ for the fit, the die-hards and the show-offs!☺



View from Air Itam

Above: View of Kek Lok Si temple from the 'main street' of Air Itam.