Facelift for Kuan Yin temple
By LEE KENG FATT
The 211-year-old temple will undergo restoration for three years
The Goddess of Mercy Temple will undergo restoration works next month. Pic by Ramdzan Masiam
THE 211-year-old Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin Temple in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling will have a new look once the long-awaited restoration works begin next month.
Kong Hock Keong Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Lam Wu Chong said the restoration is expected to be completed in three years.
Many of the temple’s wooden beams and rafters are in a deplorable condition. Most of its walls are also heavily stained.
On Oct 19, a timber beam collapsed and roof tiles were broken at the temple’s premises during a downpour.
The debris damaged an altar housing 54 deities, damaging five of them at the 10pm incident.
The temple committee had since applied for skilled craftsmen from Fujian, China, to help out in the restoration works. It was recently given approval for additional 15 workers.
“We are grateful to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong who helped us get the permit.
“The job involves skilled work by craftsmen and artisans from China. They are needed to provide the expertise and know-how in carrying out the project.
“The temple will look attractive to visitors, especially foreign tourists, once it is fully restored.
“It will continue to be a major tourist attraction as part of the World Heritage Site,” said Lam Lee, who handed over the ministry’s approval letter to Lam recently, said he was aware that the earlier approval of 20 workers were insufficient for the restoration works.
The restoration is expected to cost some RM6 million.
The temple is always busy on the first and 15th lunar month when people come to pray for good luck and prosperity.
It is also crowded during the Chinese New Year period and the Goddess’ three birthday celebrations on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar months.
Chinese opera troupes would be engaged to perform for the deities for several days during these occasions. [News link]
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Posted by admin on December 10, 2011 under Tourism News.
