Penang's colourful culture and heritage of its ethnic groups are also reflected in the many temples and clan houses on the island. Many of the temples are Buddhist in nature and offer visitors and tourists fine architecture and intricate carvings to admire. Besides temples, some mosques such as the floating mosque and Kapitan Keling Mosque are tourist attractions.
Snake Temple
The Penang Snake Temple is a popular tourist attraction established since 1805, when someone had the bright idea of using snakes to attract visitors to the temple. Also called the temple of the azure cloud, it was built to honour a monk from China named Chor Soo Kong. Today, it is more of a snake farm as the adjacent courtyard has been converted into a mini zoo for reptiles and to hold snake shows.
The snake temple is located in Bayan Lepas, towards the southern end of Penang. Inside the small temple, visitors are treated to the sight of many Wagler's Pit Vipers coiled up around the altars and plants, as thick incense smoke burns and choke up the whole place. Take a closer look at them and you should notice some of the snakes with the head raised upright with mouth wide open; this is a sign of lung infection and means the afflicted snake will die in a few months or less. The thick smoke from the incense and joss sticks burning paralyzes the snakes and inflicts on them needless suffering, leading to their eventual expiry. This is the fate of all vipers that are left to linger in the temple, just to attract tourists through the novelty of having snakes drawn 'mystically' to a temple. Originally, the vipers may have come to the temple when it was still surrounded by jungle and lingered, but certainly far away from smoky areas.
This is because if you understand the ecology of the Wagler's pit viper and observe it regularly in Penang, one would know that this highly sedentary species loves to make its way into homes, gardens and awnings in the vicinity of surrounding forest. They can stay in the same spot for weeks, months and even years, as some populations will return to the same place over and over again if left undisturbed or provided (naturally or not) with a regular food source. As this particular species of viper is common in Penang, the temple population is restocked periodically to replace the dead and dying. Visitors can also have these weakened vipers placed around their necks and heads and photographed for a fee. The temple will also urge visitors to make a donation to their work. Outside, the reptile exhibit area is a better place to look at various species of snakes, most of them local but some exotic.
Kek Lok Si
The Kek Lok Si Temple, built in 1905, is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, being located halfway up a hill in Air Itam of Penang. It is also known as the Temple of the Supreme Bliss and its crowning feature is the seven-storey pagoda, a piece of fine Chinese and Siamese architecture. Inside the Kek Lok Si temple are many halls along with various Buddhist and Taoist statues, the latest being a 30 meter high Kuan Yin bronze figure.
Kapitan Keling Mosque
The Kapitan Keling Mosque located between Buckingham Street and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Georgetown, is the largest and oldest mosque in Penang. It was built in 1801 by Indian Muslim traders on a site provided by the East India Company, and was originally a rectangular building. The mosque takes its name after two elements; 'Kapitan' referred to the captain or leader of the Indian community then, while 'Keling' is a term for the Indians that came from South India, also in reference to a kingdom based there of the same name. The elaborate taj appearance of the mosque, large grown domes and its towering minaret were the result of redesign and renovations over time.
Wat Chayamangkalaram
The Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple is another famous tourist destination in Penang. Located in Lorong Burmah of Pulau Tikus, between Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi, the temple houses one of the largest reclining Buddha statutes in the world. This 33 meter statue is gold plated and its reclining position is suppose to reflect enlightenment. Inside the temple, there are other Buddhist statues of various smaller sizes along with paintings that depict the life of Buddha. The floor of the temple is tiled with lotus patterns, also Buddhist symbol. The temple is designed with Thai features, as it was built by a Siamese monk, who loved the Asam Laksa dish in Penang.
Dhammikarama Temple
The Dhammikarama Temple is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Penang, of Burmese origin and being built in 1803. Its original name was the Nandy Moloh Temple but the same line of monks that built it still run the temple today. The temple is located in Burma Lane, also in Pulau Tikus, right opposite the Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple. The golden roofs, intricate carvings and elaborate ornaments make this temple a striking attraction to tourists and visitors. During the afternoon, Inside, there is a large hall where numerous Buddha statues of various designs are kept. Visitors can also admire the pagoda, 200-year-old well and ponds filled with colourful carps.
Cheah Kongsi
The Cheah Kongsi is one of the oldest Hokkien clan houses in Penang, having been built around 1870, its true date of construction unknown. The Cheahs were one of the first Chinese clans to originate from Fujian in Southern China in Penang, having come to the island since 1820. Like other clan houses, the Cheah Kongsi provided a place to stay for new migrants until they could find their niche and sustain the living in Penang. The temple lies inside a spacious courtyard and features a combination of Chinese, Malay and colonial design elements; a splendid and elaborate piece of architecture. The Cheah Kongsi is located in Lebuh Armenian.
Khoo Kongsi
The Khoo Kongsi Temple is the most well know of the clan house temples in Penang. The clan that founded this temple can be traced to Leong San Tong in Sin Kang Village of Fujian (Hokkien) province in China. It was built in 1844 by the Khoo family, who were one of the wealthiest Chinese traders in Malaysia. Their history is illustrated in a mini museum inside the Khoo Kongsi. The temple itself will impress visitors and tourists with its magnificent architecture incorporating wood and stone carvings, paintings and ornamental beams. Every inch of the walls are also decorated with glittering ornaments. Tourists can visit this clan house located in Cannon Street of Georgetown.
Kuan Yin Teng
The Kuan Yin Teng, or goddess of mercy temple, is located in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, formerly known as Pitt Street. This temple was originally a shrine to a goddess of sea, but as more of its Chinese devotees became established on land, it slowly geared towards the goddess of mercy. This temple may have been the oldest in Penang, but lacking official records, it is believed to be built somewhere in the early 18th Century.
Mahamariamman Temple
The Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, built in 1833. Located in Queen Street of Georgetown, the temple began from a small shrine but eventually became a building with various small statues adorning its roof. Inside the temple are ornate carvings and a large, richly decorated statue.
