Snake Temple in Penang

The snake temple in Penang is a good example of the extensive culture background of the Chinese population in Penang. Any visitor to Malaysia will visit, sooner or later, Penang. Many come for the Batu Ferringhi beach or for some shopping. But, to be honest, good beaches you can find in more places in Malaysia and Asia and shopping, well. you can shop everywhere too.

The cultural aspect of Penang should not be forgotten. The Chinese and Indian population both play a significant role to preserve that. For the Indians, the Thaipusam is one of the most important and spectacular festivals in the Indian year. The Chinese, many are Hokkiens, descendants from immigrants who originally resided in Fujian province, just north and east of Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton, if you like).

The Hokkiens brought their own spiritual culture with them. The culture, a mix of Taoism and Confucianism with Buddhist elements has put a huge stamp on Penang.

The Snake Temple before the renovation,
photo is on display in the temple

The Snake Temple

The Snake temple in Bayan Lepas, south of Georgetown, on the way to the airport is a very old temple. The origins dates back to 1850 when the original temple was build.

The Snake Temple in 2007

The temple was build in the memory of Chor Soo

Kong by a Buddhist monk who had immigrated to Penang. Chor Soo Kong had healing powers. According to legends Chor Soo Kong had given shelter to snakes when he lived in the jungle.

As the story goes, snakes entered the temple after completing and have never left to pay respect to Chor Soo Kong.

The main prayer hall

Chor Soo Kong arrived somewhere in the early 1800's in Penang, bringing with him stories myths and legends of a deity and it's healing powers. David Brown, a British resident heard of it and was subsequently cured of incurable illness. In homage of the deity, to whom Brown owned his life, he offered a piece of land on which the original temple was build. The Snake Temple original name was the "Temple of the Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky.

The temple is dedicated to a deity called Cheng Swee Chor Soo. Cheng Swee Chor Soo is known by the Hokkien as Chor Soo Kong and by the Cantonese as Chou-See Yeah. Both names basically mean the same: "The much honoured Chor-Soo"

The temple is one of the oldest in the world and attract many devotees world wide, especially from Taiwan and Singapore.

The Snakes

When you enter the temple you will find quite a few snakes. Some would say the snakes are de-venomed but it's still not advised to pick them up or touch them. Local devotees believe that the temple's snake population has come there of its own accord.

Before entering the temple, you will pass a big incense burner. Inside the temple, in the main prayer hall it can be filled with smoke, which supposedly paralyzes the snakes.

Wagler's Pit Vipers in the Snake Temple, Penang

Snakes in the Temple

The main prayer hall

The statue of Chor Soo Kong is located in the main temple. He has a black face. the explanation is that he met some demons who tried to cook him. The demons did not succeed but Chor Soo Kong was left with a black face. Another explanation is that by accident he took some poisonous herbs. But whatever the truth is, the black face became a symbol of compassion and sacrifice for other people.

Chor Soo Kong in the main prayer hall

As you can expect, there is an active community of devotees. The chanting of the sutras start every morning at 5am. The temple opens for visitors at 6am and usually closes at 7pm. There is no admission fee, though you pay RM 30 if you want to have a picture made with a snake around your neck.

Getting there

The Snake Temple is roughly 10km south of Georgetown. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes by taxi. Blue and Yellow busses from Komtar in the direction of Nibong Bus terminal and the airport pass the temple.

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