The Snake Temple, also known as Temple of Azure Clouds, is one of the most peculiar temples, probably the only one of its kind in the world. Located in Sungai Keluang, Bayan Lepas, it was built in 1850 (some websites incorrectly put the date as 1805, which is highly improbable) to venerate a deified Buddhist monk named of Chor Soo Kong, the Hokkien name for Cheng Swee Chor Soo. In Cantonese, Chor Soo Kong is called Chou See Yeah. "Chor Soo" is in fact an honorific title for an eminent historic figure who is to be continuously revered by subsequent generations. Chor Soo Kong and Chou See Yeah means the same thing: "The Much Honoured Chor Soo".
Front façade of the Snake Temple in Sungai Keluang, Bayan Lepas, Penang.
There are in fact two temples to Chor Soo Kong in Bayan Lepas - the other Chor Soo Kong Temple, without any snakes, is located in Batu Maung. However, the one in Sungai Keluang is by far the most famous due mainly to its slittery residents.
The actual name of the Snake Temple is Ban Kah Lan, in Hokkien, or Temple of the Azure Clouds. Every year, pilgrims come from far and near on Chor Soo Kong's birthday, which falls on the 6th day of the first lunar month, hence it's a traditional temple to visit during Chinese New Year.
Chor Soo Kong was born in Fujian province during the Song Dynasty (960-1276 AD), during the reign of Emperor Ren-Zong (1023-1063 AD). He is from the "Tan" clan and his personal name was "Eng". He entered monkhood from an early age. Upon his ordination, he received the Buddhist name Pu-Zu. He started his life as a monk by staying at a monastery called Da Yun Yuan. Later on, he decided to lead an ascetic life in Gao-Tai Mountain, to strive for spiritual cultivation. Through the guidance of Zen Master Ming-Song, Chor Soo Kong attained spiritual enlightenment.
In addition to spiritual enlightenment, Chor Soo Kong acquired extensive medical knowledge, enabling him to provide medical services to the needy in the surrounding communities.
On the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Shen-Zhong of the Song Dynasty (corresponding to around the year 1073 AD), the area of Qing-Xi in Fujian suffered a terrible drought. When Chor Soo Kong went there and prayed for rain, and the rain came. In gratitude, the people built a monastery for him on Peng-Lai Mountain. Chor Soo Kong called the monastery Cheng Swee Giam, which means, The Rock of Clear Water. From this name, when Chor Soo Kong was deified,
In 1850, a monk arrived from China, bringing with him the statue of Chor Soo Kong. The monk then built a temple dedicated to Chor Soo Kong in a clearing by the Sungai Keluang river in Bayan Lepas. At that time, the surrounding area is jungle, and there was plenty of snakes. Rather than harming the snakes, the pious monk provided shelter to them. When the temple was completed, the snakes were brought in.
The snakes were the poisonous Wagler's Pit Vipers, also called the Temple Pit Vipers, or in Malay, ular kapak tokong. Their range is from South Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi and the southern island of the Philippines archipelago. They can grow to 1 - 1.3 meters long (3-4 ft). When young, they are light green with narrow pale bands. On reaching adulthood, the snakes take on a darker green with thicker yellow bands. Although the poison is not very dangerous, the bite can be very painful and can cause much swelling. However the snakes are usually sluggish and seldom bite.
Continuous development of the surrounding areas in Bayan Lepas has today enveloped the Snake Temple, resulting in a loss of habitat for the snakes, and a general reduction in their numbers. The jungle behind the temple has long disappeared, and it is now part of the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone housing various multinational corporations.
Snake Temple Photo Gallery
Another view of the Snake Temple.
The dark interior of the temple.
The pit vipers at the altar.
Ornate roof structure of the temple.
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Penang has one of the highest concentration of Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. Let AsiaExplorers take you on a journey to explore some of the most ornate temples in Penang, documented through photographs and carefully researched text.
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