Category: Religious Sites

Pristine pure white ling zhi (Ganoderma mushroom) medicated liquor bottles dispersed around the entire temple, from the interior to the exterior, from the temple halls till the courtyard, from the upper beams to the handrails of staircases. Constructed along the slope, Cheng Choo Tze temple occupied its current address over the period of half a century, utilizing ling zhi medicated liquor bottles contributed by devotees as decoration materials during its rebuilding, an unprecedented style. 

Due to ling zhi medicated liquor being favoured by the five deities worshipped in the temple, devotees usually contribute the medicated liquor as offerings in appreciation of advice given by the deities. The directors of the temple collected the liquor bottles under instruction by the deities, and the bottles accumulated over time. After a decade or so, when the deities manifested and proposed a fundraiser to construct a new temple, the directors realised they could utilise the liquor bottles as an environmentally friendly way of beautification. Therefore when the rebuilding project was completed in 2002, Cheng Choo Tze Temple was the only temple decorated by thousands of liquor bottles throughout Malaysia. 

Cheng Choo Tze Temple is located in Batu Maung, Penang, a small town near the second bridge of Penang (Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim). Since 1981, the temple provides altar praying services at least thrice a week, the precious medicinal herbs on the shelves are given on a charity basis to devotees in need. A unique feature of Cheng Choo Tze Temple is having no doors at the few main entrances, and therefore remains open to devotees at any time of the day, being convenient for them to pray to the deities. At the same time, the open style of the temple draws folks staying nearby to gather and chit-chat, and functions to congregate a close-knit community. 

From a tiny temple on the hill which has been through relocating once and rebuilding twice, Cheng Choo Tze Temple boasts of over a hundred years in its historical trails. Every year, the blessed event of Master Nine Dragons attracts devotees from all over to join in the celebrations, as well as proactively organising various charity events during all these years in contribution to the local community, adding a touch of warmth besides ensuring continuous devotion. 

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Music : Blossum Dance from Youtube

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Upon walking into the old town of Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, stepping into streets cultivated more than a hundred years ago, along Jalan Kapitan Tam Yeong turning right into Jalan Yam Tuan, is the Harmony (Heritage) Trail of Seremban. Assembled on the inverted L-shaped street are an assortment of religious places of worship and provincial halls, converging up to five different religions. A mosque, a Chinese temple, a Catholic church, a Hindu temple, a Sikh temple, and several Chinese provincial halls from different regions, each of them spanning a history of over a century, some of the temples have even been constructed since the founding of Seremban town, remaining at the same address to date, among them is Sri Balathandayuthapani Hindu temple.

Located near the Seremban town council fields, Sri Balathandayuthapani Hindu temple was originally built under a simple zinc roof in the 1870’s. Later in 1891, the development of railway construction from Seremban to Port Dickson was carried out, which marks the third railway in Malaya, mainly for the purpose of connecting mining areas to the harbour to ease transportation of mined tin. At that time, crowds of labourers were brought in from India to work for the Seremban railway construction project, gradually leading to the expansion of Sri Bala Hindu temple, therefore in 1893 the temple was reconstructed with substantial materials such as bricks, concrete, and tiles. It became the place of worship and to perform cultural customs for the fellow Indian countrymen.

Having been through numerous renovations and rebuilds, Sri Bala Hindu temple eventually expanded from a zinc roofed building in its former days to its current magnificent state completed in year 2004, attracting countless devotees to visit during festive celebrations. In accordance to the custom of sacrifice offering ceremony (kumbhabhishekam) held every twelve years, the temple initiated a repainting project in recent years to paint the temple in gorgeous colours. A consecration ceremony was held in 7th April this year, involving 37 priests from all over Malaysia and even India, with more than 8000 devotees joining in, a spectacular scene to behold.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Mother Nature from Youtube

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson has been established for around 120 years, and is one of the oldest temples in Port Dickson. In olden days the temple was built on a small scale, its former spot (now dismantled) not far from the current address, eventually shifting due to the increase in devotees. The shift happened more than 60 years ago, and the temple is still attended by many devotees. The principal deity worshipped in the temple is Lord GuǎngZé, on the main altar sits a statue of Lord GuǎngZé worshipped since the establishment of the temple, an important relic of the temple, extremely valuable.

Lord GuǎngZé is one of the deities worshipped by China folk, he was a shepherd who is smart and filial, hence being known as the world’s most filial son in folklore. His unique appearance of having his right leg curled up but his left leg hanging down is said to be caused by his reluctant mother holding onto his left leg trying to stop him from ascending to heaven when he was 16 years old.

Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson organises a celebration every twelve years to show gratitude for heavenly blessings, lighting candles and offering sacrifices. This year marks the 10th time of the celebration, in conjunction with the 120th birthday of Lord GuǎngZé at Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson, the celebration is held on a large scale over three days. The ceremony where all deities go on a parade for freshwater invitation attracts crowds of devotees joining together. Under the accompaniment of dragon dances and lion dances troupes, all deities and devotees walk several kilometres away to a well. The clean and fresh water drawn up from the well will be used on the next day, which is Lord GuǎngZé’s birthday (22nd day on the second month of the lunar calendar), at a fortunate timing as a token of appreciation to the heavenly lord. 

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Inspirational Piano – Ashamaluev from Youtube

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD