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Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple

Address: 57, Armenian Street, 10200 Penang.

Visiting hours: Daytime

Admission: Free

Most tourists miss this temple due to its small and dull entrance passage by thinking it’s just another small temple in Penang.

Tua Pek Kong temple is mid-19th century Hokkien secret society headquarters.

Officially registered with the Chinese Protectorate of Penang on 11 October 1892, the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple has had a chequered history coloured by the segmentary traits of Southern Fujians. It is essentially a community temple devoted to the worship of Tau Peh Kong (Da Bogong).

Historically the origin of Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple can be traced back to early 19th Century while Khoo Teeau Pang was the founding head of Kean Teik Tong which was formed in 1844. The land of 14,865 sq.ft. of Lot 10 (1) (now known as Lot 446), section 21 was granted to Khoo Teeau Pang in 1850. The temple building and nine shophouses could have been built between 1850 and 1867. In 1867, the Penang Riots took place between the two feuding triads, which were Kean Teik Tong and Ghee Hal Secret Society.

The organisational structure of the Hock Teik Cheng, Sin Temple is unique. Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple does not function as a ” mother institution” but a Board of Trustees holds the property for the use of the four brotherhood societies, namely, Tong Kheng Seah (同庆社), Poh Hock Seah (宝福社), Cheng Hoe Seah (清和社) and Hokkien Kongsi (福建公司). Each of these four organisations appoints four representatives to sit on the Board of Trustees of Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple , making a total of sixteen Trustees. All of these four organisations have their own official offices inside Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple.

The consolidation of these organisations under one roof is an effective means of co-ordination. The Temple is at present the physical apex religious society of all the allied bodies.

One of most celebrated annual events is a fire ceremony in the Tanjung Tokong’s Tua Pek Kong temple on the night before the 15th day of the lunar new year, the deity in the temple is invited to Tanjung Tokong for this ritual.

Penang Chingay with its signature triangular silk flag on a giant bamboo pole carried on the shoulders of the male performers is originated from the procession for the honor of patron deity “Tua Pek Kong” birthdays.

Location map:

GPS Coordinates: 5.415138,100.337156 Show on map

Photo gallery:

Posted by admin on March 8, 2011 under World Heritage.