The Snake temple in Bayan Lepas, south of Georgetown, on the way to the airport is a very old temple. The origins dates back to 1850 when the original temple was build.
The temple was build in the memory of Chor Soo Kong by a Buddhist monk who had immigrated to Penang. Chor Soo Kong had healing powers. According to legends Chor Soo Kong had given shelter to snakes when he lived in the jungle.
Chor Soo Kong arrived somewhere in the early 1800's in Penang, bringing with him stories myths and legends of a deity and it's healing powers. David Brown, a British resident heard of it and was subsequently cured of incurable illness. In homage of the deity, to whom Brown owned his life, he offered a piece of land on which the original temple was build. The Snake Temple original name was the "Temple of the Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky.
When you enter the temple you will find quite a few snakes. Some would say the snakes are de-venomed. Local devotees believe that the temple's snake population has come there of its own accord.
Admission is free
Opening Hours: 6am – 7pm Depending on traffic situations, a bus ride from Komtar to the snake temple should take about 30 minutes, a taxi will cost you around RM25.
I noticed that the number of snakes are getting lesser. Been here a couple of time before.
ReplyDeleteReally? this is the first time I went there. They should put more snakes as the snakes are the main attraction for the temple.. Thanks for info, Ms. Nava.
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