Where to worship? – The top 3 local beliefs and cultural attractions
As of 2010, Muslims constituted over 44% of Penang's population, followed by the Buddhists at nearly 36% and the Hindus at almost 9%. Notably, smaller communities of Chinese Muslims and Indian Muslims have long existed within George Town, while most Buddhists in Penang follow either Theravada or Mahayana traditions, although the Vajrayana school is becoming increasingly popular. A significant multiracial community of Christians, of both Catholic and Protestant sects, also exist in Penang, consisting of ethnic Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, East Malaysian migrants and expatriates. Meanwhile, more than 10% of the state's Chinese populace adhere to Taoism and other Chinese folk religions.
One particular street in George Town exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of the various religions in Penang. Along Pitt Street, Muslim, Taoist, Hindu and Christian places of worship are situated just metres away from one another, earning the street its nickname, the 'Street of Harmony'. This reflects Penang's diverse ethnic and socio-cultural amalgamation.
There was once a tiny and little-known community of Jews in Penang, who mainly resided along Jalan Zainal Abidin (formerly Yahudi Road). The last known native Jew died in 2011, rendering the centuries-old Jewish community in Penang effectively extinct.
After a simple introduction to religion that Penangites practising, let me introduce the top 3 local beliefs and the must go cultural attractions of Penang to you guys.
Top 1. Floating Mosque
Masjid Terapung or the Floating Mosque was built in 2004 in a bid to replace an older mosque which was damaged in the year’s major tsunami disaster. Situated along Tanjung Bungah’s stretch of beach, the mosque is an architectural wonder with its Moorish design, seven-storey-high towering minarets and 360-degree panoramic view of the sea. It’s the first mosque in the country to be built on the sea, with pillars and stilts supporting its majestic structure. Covering an area of 1,295sqm, it can accommodate up to 1500 people during prayer times.
Opening Hours: N/A, but permission to enter must be obtained from the mosque officials. No shoes are allowed inside the mosque, and all visitors must be decently dressed. Closed during Friday prayers (from 12:00 – 14:30).
Location: Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Bungah (opposite Mar Vista Condominiums)
Top 2. Kek Lok Si
Standing on a hilltop at Air Itam, near Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The complex is divided into three zones while the temple grounds comprise the hill entrance, souvenir, food and drinks stalls and the turtle liberation pond. The mid section of the temple houses temples, gardens, the pagoda and the four heavenly kings pavilion; meanwhile the hilltop plays host to an enormous statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin as well as more gardens and temples.
Comprising a series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautifully-landscaped gardens, this national icon was built in 1890 by Beow Lean, a devout immigrant Chinese Buddhist. The ten-acre site was purchased in 1893 and the initial temple structure was built on the summit of He Shan. 20 years later, the two-decade long additional construction of this sprawling house of worship is largely funded by donations from the Penang Straits Chinese community. The complex is a cornerstone of the Malaysian Chinese community. Also known as the ‘Temple of Supreme Bliss’, it features a maze of souvenir kiosks as well as a turtle and fish pond. The turtle pond – known as The Liberation Pond – was built because according to Chinese tradition, turtles symbolize longevity, strength and endurance and the act of capturing and freeing a turtle is a symbol of spiritual liberation.
Kek Lok Si is both carved into the rock face as well as perched atop the slopes of Air Itam. The main attraction here is the impressive pagoda of Rama VI and at the centre of the complex, the seven-storey, 30-metre high tower is acknowledged as the ‘face’ of Kek Lok Si. Topped with a Burmese crown, Ban Po Thar – the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda – displays a collection of alabaster and bronze Buddhas and has a Chinese octagonal base while its middle tiers are of Thai design. Meanwhile sited in the Hall of the Devas, are statues of the Four Heavenly Kings – each of the Kings allegedly controls one of the four points of the compasses – Kwang Mu (Guardian of the West), Tou Wen (Guardian of the North), Ch'i Kuo (Guardian of the East) and lastly Tseg Chang (Guardian of the South).
Additionally, there’s a three-storey shrine with a large Buddha icon that was donated by King Bhumibol of Thailand – you can find several temples here as well as shops and a vegetarian restaurant. At the highest level there is a 36.5 metre-high bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy; in the future 16 ornately decorated bronze columns supporting a roof over the statue, as well 1000 two-metre high statues of the goddess are planned to be built.
At the apex are a couple more temples, a fish pond, sprawling gardens and 12 animal statues that represent the Chinese zodiac. Kek Lok Si temple houses tablets and imperial Buddhist sutras gifted by Manchu Emperor Kwang Xi and Empress Cixi of the Ching Dynasty; these historic relics are kept in the temple archives. The impressive complex is usually crowded with visitors and is located approximately three kilometres from Penang Hill. Penang Kek Lok Si
Location: Air Itam, Georgetown
Contact: +604 828 3317
Price Range: Entrance: Pagoda - RM2; Incline lift - RM2
Top 3. Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple is a Hindu temple set on Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Chulia in Georgetown’s compact Little India district: a vibrant community whose outer face is of saris, incense shops and banana leaf curry houses. Built in 1833, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Subramaniam. Also known as the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple, it is the oldest Hindu temple on the island. Shining diamonds and precious stones are part of its façade and it is a typical example of Hindu architecture, built in the south Indian Dravidian style.
Sri Mariamman Temple is dominated by its impressive 23.5ft-tall gopuram (entrance gate). It is a lofty four-tiered tower with 38 brightly coloured sculptures of soldiers, Hindu gods and goddesses and floral decorations, plus four swans. It is topped with five small kalasams and hundreds of pigeons have made this tower their home. The tower represents Mt. Meru, the celestial mountain that holds up the heavens, and the realm of the gods which begins in the temple compound. Within the inner sanctum of Sri Mariamman Temple is a statue of Lord Subramaniam decorated with elaborate jewellery; it is set under a nine metre-high dome. Also inside the temple is a collection of over 40 statues of deities and lions. Penang’s Thaipusam festival begins here as the statue is the one normally used to lead the procession to Waterfall Temple; in October a wooden chariot takes the temple’s deity for a drive around the neighbourhood during Vijayadasami festivities. The inside of the temple has the symbols of the nine planets and signs of the zodiac carved into wood on the ceiling. When Tamil Indians first arrived in Penang, Sri Mariamman Temple was built as a small and simple shrine and proved to be an important place of worship for these early Indian immigrants. The temple was extensively renovated and expanded in 1933 with artisans and sculptors from India playing a part in embellishing the temple’s façade. These days, the temple serves a community that is largely dominated by Indians, with moneychangers, jewellers, restaurants and tea stalls. Pujas (prayers) at the temple take place in the mornings (07:30) and evenings (18:30).
Location: Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Lebuh Pitt, between Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Chulia)
Opening Hours: 06:30 – 12:00; 16:30 – 23:00
Remarks: If you wish to enter the temple, ask for permission first from any of the temple’s priests, and do remove your shoes before entering the temple grounds Address:
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