Kuan Yin Temple

Kuan Yin Temple which is located at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (previously known as Pitts street), are doubt as one of the oldest Chinese temple in Penang. With history dated back to 1800, Kuan Yin temple is the symbol of pride, compassion and love to all her loyal devotees.

The Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin is perhaps one of the noticeable figures of all Buddhist deities in Penang today. She enlightened and embodies the attributes of benevolence and unshakable loving compassion that is accessible to everyone.

The popularity of Kuan Yin as a beautiful white-robed goddess filled with pure devotion and compassion are well known to the people of Penang.

Kuan Yin statue is commonly found in homes and Buddhist temples in various incarnations, often cloaked in white robes. Kuan Yin Temple has become a main attraction not only to the thousand of Buddhist devotees but also tourist from all over the world. The temple are built with characteristic of Chinese architecture and carved with dragon and many mysterious creatures that stood up and act as the guardian of the temple.

Within the temple, in an inner chamber, is a statue of an 18-armed Kuan Yin with each hand either containing a different cosmic symbol or expressing a specific ritual position. In the courtyard are two huge iron stoves where devotees burn paper offerings (gold and silver paper), an octagonal well which was once a public well for the Chinese community as well as a comforting sight to view feeding of flocking pigeons. t is also here that the followers of Hare Krishnan distribute food free to the homeless, beggars and the hungry irregardless of their race and religion.

There are several stories regarding Kuan Yin temple, although very little are documented in official records. For example, it was claimed that during WW2, the Japanese dropped a bomb on the temple with the intention of destroying it. Through sheer luck (or divine intervention), the bomb dropped in the courtyard instead and Kuan Yin temple was left untouched. Others described how a large number of Penangites took shelter in the Kuan Yin temple during the war.

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