- Address: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 3 2274 7088
- Website: www.hainannet.com.my/v2/index.php
- E-mail: hainan@hainannet.com.my
- Opening date: 1989.
- Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:00 without holidays
At the top of Robson Hill (Robson Hill) south of the center of Kuala Lumpur is the Tien Hou Temple, the largest Chinese temple in Malaysia , and also one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The temple can be called syncretic: it unites 3 such widespread in China currents as Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
A bit of history
The temple is still quite new - its construction began in 1981, and was completed in 1987. The statue of the goddess Tien Hou was established on November 16, 1985. Kuan Yin acquired a permanent "place of residence" on October 19, 1986. November 16, the same year, was installed a statue of Shui Wei Sheng Niang.
All members of the Hainan diaspora of the Malaysian capital actively participated in the construction. Construction cost about 7 million ringgits. The official opening of the church took place on September 3, 1989.
Architecture and internal structure of the temple complex
Temple architecture successfully combines authentic Chinese motifs and modern architectural techniques. First of all, the rich decoration of the gates of the complex, as well as the walls and roofs of the temple, is striking. Here you can see dragons and cranes, and phoenixes, and other traditional for Chinese architecture motifs. Of course, not without the large number of paper lanterns.
The entrance to the temple has red columns; it is adorned with a symbol of prosperity. In general, red color is found here often, because in the Chinese it symbolizes wealth and luck.
The main building of the temple complex has 4 floors. On the lower three there are administrative offices, as well as a banquet hall, a dining room, souvenir shops. The prayer hall is located on the top floor of the complex. In the center of it you can see the altar of Heavenly Lady Tian Hou. On the right is the altar of Guan Yin (Yin), the goddess of mercy. Shuji Shui Wei Sheng Niang, the goddess of the seas and patron saint of seafarers, is on the left.
In the hall you can see statues of Laughing Buddha, God of War Guan Dee, as well as monuments of saints revered by Buddhists and Taoists.
Temple Services
In the temple you can register a marriage; The marriage ceremony here is very popular among residents of Kuala Lumpur. You can also get a prediction of fate: in the prayer temple there are two pairs of oracles. At the temple there are schools of Wushu, Qigong and Tai Chi.
Solemn events
In Tien Hou, celebrations are held, dedicated to the birthdays of all three goddesses. In addition, there is a solemn celebration of the New Year on the Chinese calendar, the Buddhist holiday of Vesak. In the eighth lunar month, the Mooncake festival is held annually.
Territory
Around the temple is a landscape park. On its paths you can see statues of animals, symbolizing the "masters of the year" in Chinese astrology. In the rocks, near the waterfall is a statue of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy. Those who wish can receive her "water blessing", standing in front of the statue on her knees.
There is also a garden in the territory where traditional medicinal herbs are grown, and a pond with a large number of turtles.
How to visit the temple complex?
The Tian Hou Temple can be reached by the Rapid KL train or by taxi. He works daily from 9:00 to 18:00, admission is free. An excursion to the Tien Hou Temple takes about 3 hours.