Description of the attraction
Buddhist temple Kek Lok Si can rather be called a temple complex, the largest and most beautiful in all of Southeast Asia. It is located on several heights of the southern slope of Mount Bukit Bendera. Its other name is the Temple of Supreme Bliss. The small town of Ayer Itam in the center of Penang Island is famous for this beautiful structure.
The construction of the temple began in 1890, when Chinese immigrants appeared in large numbers in Penang. The inspiration was a Buddhist monk. In the late 19th - early 20th centuries, the main pagoda was founded, on either side of it were built the Hall of Vows, prayer halls and the Tower of Sacred Books. Seven floors of the main church were erected by 1930. On this building, the main feature of the complex is especially noticeable - a mixture of all architectural styles of Asia, from Thai to Burmese. The base of the pagoda is made in the style of traditional Chinese temple architecture, the middle is in the Thai architectural style, and the top is in the characteristic Burmese. The main pagoda was named Ten Thousand Buddhas and became the hallmark of Kek Lok Si.
The temple complex seems perfect, however, it continues to improve and rebuild all the time. So, in 2002, a 36-meter statue of the Goddess of Mercy appeared. Four years later, an equally huge gazebo was erected over this huge statue.
The temple is active and there are always a lot of worshipers in it. In addition to prayer halls, a large area for prayers is also equipped in front of the temple. There is a small pond with turtles in front of almost all Chinese temples. The same pond adorns the Kek Lok Si landscape. For the Chinese, turtles are a symbol of longevity and wisdom. Tourists who feed the turtles in the pond add a couple of years to their lives.
The number of Buddhas cannot be counted, but it is quite obvious that there are incredibly many of them and they were brought from all over the world. Numerous internal halls and structures are separated by painted walls, ceilings and even walls adorned with thousands of Chinese lanterns.
The temple is buried in tropical gardens and looks incredibly picturesque on the slopes of the mountain. An unusual combination of architecture, bright colors and rich decoration create a festive atmosphere. Therefore, it serves as the most popular walking place for guests and residents of Georgetown.
