Goddess of Mercy (Quan Yin) Temple, Penang

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The oldest Chinese temple on Penang, the Goddess of Mercy was founded in 1801 after Chinese settlers received the plot of land it stands on from the British. The street directly opposite is named Lebuh China - an effort by the British to make clear as to who stayed where. Worshippers here congregate to burn incense and pour oil over sacred objects. The building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and a pair of stone sculptured lions which are said to be its guardians. Undoubtedly the most popular Chinese temple in Penang, it is flocked to by pilgrims and followers all year round, particularly on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month. There is a lovely square where puppet shows and Chinese operas are staged on the Goddess of Mercy's feast days. The square is always a centre of bustling activity, and there is an octagonal well in one corner, which was once a public well for the Chinese community.

Located at the junction of China Street and Pitt Street (now Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling) is this important Chinese temple dedicated to Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy).

Especially on the eve of Chinese New Year, this temple will be crowded with local Chinese worshippers with incense and offerings for prayers for good health. peace and harmony, prosperity or excellent academic results for children.

It can be very smoky inside and smoke will get into your eyes. Also too many pigeons in the courtyard.

The Hokkiens here called the temple "Kuan Yin Teng". It was built aroud 1801 and thus the oldest temple around.

As there is no much space outside the temple, on the Goddess's birthday, instead of a large stage for an opera, there is a hand puppet show. Used to watch them.

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The temple of the Godess of Mercy, Good Fortune, Peace and Fertility (All that is what Kwan Yin Ten seems to stand for) is at the heart of Chinatown and, for this reason, one of the liveliest in Penang. It is particularly popular with the Hokkien and Cantonese Community of Penang. At the time of our visit, it was full of worshippers burning incense and offering gifts to the Gods.

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The Goddess of Mercy Temple is an incredibly active place. There are people cooking outside, and more smoke from the tons and tons of incense burning. (This also could be due to my being there on the 15th...since offerings are given during the middle of the month.)

According to the walking tour brochure, this temple was founded in the 1800s....even if you've seen many temples, this one is so active that it's worth seeking out.

Although many people are there to ask for good fortune, there are quite a few who are down on their luck...keep an eye on your bag, your belongings, and use common sense caution.

One of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang is the "Kuan Yin Teng", although the temple is named after the Goddess of Mercy, it is actually dedicated to the 2 Goddesses of Kuan Yin and Ma Chor Poh. There are special days special dedicated to the Goddess. Try to get some info in case of the "lunar months", because it is worth of it to join these events.

Goddess Of Mercy Temple

Quan Yin Temple

Temples Of Penang

The Goddess of Mercy Temple was founded around 1800 and features a sweeping roof with ornately decorated copings and ridges. Today, it is a very popular temple, visited by young and old alike offering sandalwood incense.

well its the most popular temple in Penang ...well this temple is devoted to Kuan Yin or Goddess of Mercy ...the legend of her compassion is well known ...my grandma once told me that The Kuan Yin help Penangite during the World War II ...by providing safe shelters to many ....perhaps thats why so many locals throng this temple during Kuan Yin's Birthday ( the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar month), every 1st and 15th of chinese lunar calender ...Chinese opera or puppet theatre is performed in the granite-paved forecourt on the Goddess of Mercy's feast days

well if you want to pray for safety and good health ..you can buy the joss stick, candles plus the praying papers for RM1.50 only from any stall outside. Well people say those who wish for beauty and youth should offer fresh flowers ....well dont mind trying huh !Happy

Goddess of Mercy is this oldest Chinese temple in Penang built by early Chinese settlers. It is most of the time packed of worshippers who burn joss stick and do other worships. The temple is also called Kuan Yin Teng Temple and decorated very colourfully and beautifully.

another look at how busy the place is ...inner shrine ...there is a smaller shrine for " Hor Ia " and there is a man there who knows how to ward off bad luck for you for a fee ...how true ? well he seems to have quite a number of devotees lining up ...

Taoist offer bundles of incense to the Gods, their prayers rising with the smoke.

The Goddess of Mercy is associated with fertility and good fortune of mercy and worshippers had left offerings of flowers and fruit, oil, papers with scripts written etc
According to the Chinese legend, she forgo her privilege to enter eternal bliss after having attained Nirvana and chose instead to stay back and help lost souls in the world of suffering. Her sacrifice was worshipped to this very day...

The temple was erested in 1801 on a ladn given by the East India Company.

Each devotees offer many many joss sticks....it can get very smokey and irritating to my eyes. And becos so many devotees offer joss sticks, and there is simply not enough place at the huge joss sticks holder (large large urns), they are discarded to make space for other devotees. The picture shows a temple worker picking the joss sticks to be burnt in a large burner.