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Penang Snake Temple

Address: Jalan Tokong Ular, Kawasan Perindustrian Bayan Lepas, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.

The snake temple, also known as the Hock Hin Keong temple, was built by some local Chinese inhabitants in 1829 for the patron deity “Chor Soo Kong”.

The snakes are venomous Wagler’s pit vipers and are said to be slightly ‘doped’ by the incense smoke which drift around the temple. Devotees refer to these snakes as “officers” of the deity, guarding the temple. Clearing of the jungle for electronics factories in Bayan Lepas has made all natural habitats for the snake disappear. The few snakes you have seen in the temple are “exhibited” item brought in for the tourists.

Temple chairman Datuk Lim Eng Soon said the present temple, which was built on a piece of land donated by philanthropist David Brown’s family, has evolved from an attap shrine to become this magnificent building today through major renovations in 1880, 1907, 1971, 1978, 1981 and most extensive renovation was carried out in 2006.

Every year, thousands of devotees make a trip to the temple during the birthday celebrations of Chor Soo Kong which occurs thrice yearly, on the 6th days of the first, sixth and eleventh months of Chinese lunar calendar.

Many websites claim that Penang snake temple is only one in the world with snake inhabitants is not true . There is another temple in Fujian China where snakes are kept and prayed by the devotees.

Admission: Free (Donation is welcomed)

Opening Hours: Morning till late evening

Public Transport: Buses 3-D,3-4; Rapid Penang 102, 305, 306, 401 and 401E

About the deity of Chor Soo Kong
The temple was built circa 1850 in memory of Chor Soo Kong, by a Buddhist monk who moved to Penang. Chor Soo Kong was born with the Tan surname in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He was very serious about spiritual attainment and was ordained at a young age. Legend has it that Chor Soo Kong, who was also a healer, gave shelter to the snakes of jungle. When he died at the age of 65 after a lifetime of good deeds, he was bestowed the honorific title Chor Soo, meaning an eminent historic figure continuously revered by a community generation after generation. After the completion of the temple, snakes appeared on their own accord. The Snake Temple was originally named the “Temple of the Azure Cloud” in honor of the beauty of Penang’s sky. Source: Wikipedia

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GPS Coordinates: 5.314146N, 100.285301E Show on map

Posted by admin on March 10, 2011 under Tourist Attraction.