The Dragon And The Temple
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:18 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
I'm puzzled. Last year the temple committee built a large pagoda lantern. This year, they set up a dragon lantern. I was hoping to see a cute looking tiger lantern. I'm still wondering...Why construct a dragon instead of a tiger?
Ornate Roofs
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:47 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 160
Attempting an abstract shot. This picture depicts three layers of roof. Actually, there is nothing much to do or see in Thean Hou temple. I still prefer FGS 佛光山 Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom.
The Red Curtains
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:26 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
Hundreds of red lanterns were used to decorate the temple.
This is the main praying hall with three Gods:
- Goddess of the Waterfront
- The Heavenly Mother
- The Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin (觀音)
You may download the brochure below to read all about the 3 Gods.
The Heavenly Mother (Ma Zu)
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:33 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 400
Heavenly Mother (Ma Zu) was installed in Thean Hou Temple in 16th November 1985. The Heavenly Mother is also known as Her Heavenly Princess (Tian Fei), or traditionally The Holy Grandmother (Ma Zu).
Her Holiness; originally named Lin Muo Niang; was born in 960 AD. on the 23rd day of the 3 month of the Song Dynasty Calendar. She was born to Lin (father) and Wang (mother), in a village along the Pu Tian Mei Bayside.
According to Lin's family-tree text, the day Her Holiness was born, the land was mysteriously covered by a purple streak, perfumed aroma filled every household and a goldenly shining halo appeared above the Lin's house, within which emitted a red glow, shocking and attracting the curious among villagers.
Download official brochure to read more about The Heavenly Mother (download links at the bottom).
The Archway & The Hill
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:29 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
Thean Hou Temple is built on Robson Hill. The perfect spot to view KL city.
A Dragon's Roar :)
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:17 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A fierce looking dragon. Sharp fangs and bulging eyes :)
This Way To Heaven
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:49 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Simple roof deco.
Hidden Dragon of Thean Hou
Location: Thean Hou Temple (天后宫), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 12th February 2010 (Friday), 10:56 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
A medium-sized dragon carved on a concrete slab.
Recently, I visited the one and only big-sized Chinese Temple at Robson Heights in KL. This temple is known as the Thean Hou Temple (天后宫). According to Wikipedia, The Thean Hou Temple (Chinese: 天后宫) is a landmark six-tiered Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur. It was completed in 1987 and officially opened in 1989. The property belongs to and is run by the Selangor & Federal Territory Hainan Association (Persatuan Hainan Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan). This temple, built by the Hainanese community living in Kuala Lumpur is dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou (The Heavenly Mother). Source: Wikipedia
Thean Hou Temple used to be the BEST temple in KL. But, it is no longer a MUST-GO place during the annual CNY. People from Klang Valley and all over Malaysia are flocking FGS 佛光山 Dong Zen Taiwanese Temple in Jenjarom. Honestly, there is nothing much to see in Thean Hou Temple. I spent one hour exploring this temple before traveling to KL Chinatown.
Um....KL Chinatown is also pretty lame. Nothing much to see or buy. Still the same old stuff. I was expecting something MORE during this CNY. But, I was left feeling disappointed. I didn't even take any pictures in KL Chinatown. First, the hawkers and traders are VERY SENSITIVE to cameras. Second, nothing caught my attention.
Last Updated 18th February 2010 (9:00 p.m.)
Thean Hou Temple - Brochures & 2010 CNY Celebration Program:
Note: Files are stored in MediaFire. Click link to download:
- All About Thean Hou Temple Brochure (4 pages, PDF files, Mandarin & English, 2.26MB)
- 2010 CNY Celbration Program In Thean Hou - from 13/2/2010 to 28/2/2010 (2 pages, PDF files, Mandarin & English, 928 kb)
Thean Hou Temple - Getting There:
From the direction of Istana Negara, slow down after passing Kuen Cheng School on your left. Keep to the extreme left and enter the slip road (Jalan Robson) which runs parallel to Jalan Syed Putra. The road sign shows exit to Brickfields.
The first turning on your left is Lorong Syed Putra Kiri which takes you to the shabby Le Chateau condos, the new Kuen Cheng School (2) and a sprawling cemetery. Do not turn here but drive up further and you will soon see Wisma Belia (Hostel) and Bangunan MCOBA (UEM) on your left. The next turning is Persiaran Endah which takes you up to the temple. You can also approach from the direction of the Brickfields as Jalan Robson is a two-way street.
The Thean Hou Temple is situated on the top of Robson Hill. Though not very high, the initial ascent is quite steep. Make sure your clutch is not slipping or your engine can handle traffic jams on a slope. Parking is adequate but is not free on weekends and during festivals.
Note: Directions to Thean Hou Temple are taken from Malaysia Central
Thean Hou Temple - Google Maps:
Thean Hou Temple - Read More & Useful Links:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thean_Hou_Temple (Wikipedia Article About Thean Hou Temple)
- http://www.hainannet.com/ (Official Portal of Thean Hou Temple)
i was there last year... have to go through that slope!! it's killing..
and major jam...
so this year, pretty much stay at home only!! =p
well, chinatown has changed a lot...
seems more like pirated town rather than chinatown to me =(
Excellent photos. I feel the CNY atmosphere again!
I would definitely like to see the decorations pictures for CNY in Fo Guang Shan in Malaysia, but after read your previous post about your experience in finding the place, ha, I don't think you will go there again this time :) I have been to the FGS in Kaoshiung, Taiwan and Southern California, US. They are huge and gorgeous! (and easy to find :) :))
Ha ha... FGS is the new place to go?
This is sad. But I suppose people are just like that.
We always get carried away by new arrivals and forget the old treasures we got. But one day, when the old buildings are gone, then people start to whinge.
Isn't this like Feng Shui? Ha ha... Good to bad, bad to good! Ha ha...
Carmen
Yeah...the slope is pretty steep :) I boarded two buses to Thean Hou Temple - no jams, no worries :)
Actually, our Petaling Street can be a better Chinatown. We need more colors and courteous hawkers. I guess the pirated stuff is one of the attraction :)
Micki
Thanks!
It's TRUE :) I wanted to revisit this Dong Zen temple. But, the traffic, multiple toll roads and distance is scaring me away.
WOW! I would LOVE to see Dong Zen temples in Taiwan and California!!!
1ondoncaller
Thean Hou Temple is a perfect place for couple to register their marriage. Honestly, I felt this place is a bit too traditional and 'boring'.
The management needs to organize interesting activities. Look at FGS Dong Zen...so many fun + engaging events. Recently, WWF co-organized a 'Save Tiger' awareness program in FGS Dong Zen temple (with tiger face painting!)
Cheers to all!
mylo
aah u did ur yrly visit here too.. for me i frequent the temple at other times during the year but this is my 1st time photographing the temple during CNY - i was pretty impressed with the deco. but i guess every year it looks similar - saw ur 2009 post on it.
lechua
Yep!
I wanted to see 2010 CNY deco in Thean Hou temple. I guess the display is pretty much the same :)
Cheers!
mylo
wow so many lanterns... gorgeous =p i wanna go there at night... guess when the lanterns all lit up... must be awesome!! lol i saw the similar dragon(the first pic) when i was visiting a temple in hk =p
You sure take gd pictures.
You are invited to share your photograph with http://worldcamerapics.blogspot.com/.
This is a new blog and the intention is to share your photographs to the masses. You are welcome to indicate your website/photoblog address on your photograph too.
Invite your friends to do so too.
Refer to the above link for more details.
Regards
Ally
fufu
Yep....night scene must be gorgeous and beautiful!
World PhotoAlbum
Hi Ally! Welcome to my photo and travel blog :)
Thanks for wonderful invitation! I've visited your blog. Looks like a brilliant idea. I'll revert back to you as soon as possible.
Cheers!
mylo