Melaka is a must-visit state if you are in Malaysia for vacation. Take a short drive from the capital city Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. Here, popular historical and cultural sites await you. Embark on a journey that will take you through some amazing cultural Landmarks as you gain a better insight in the culture of Melaka.
The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is a great place to start your tour of the many landmarks in Melaka. Located along Jalan Hang Lekiu, this temple is in the proximity of the famous Jonker Street . This destination is a perfect place to start your day before heading out for Jonker Street later on. The temple is more than a century old and has been well maintained over the years. The temple is also known as the Merciful Cloud Temple.
History
The temple was built by a local who was motivated by his father’s death. The temple is constructed with some of the finest construction materials brought all the way from china. The interior is mostly red and black and is cloudy because of the incense being burned at the altars around the temple. Outside, you will definitely notice that there is a statue of the goddess Kuan Yin. The statue shows the goddess standing in the central prayer hall robbed in black, gold and red.
Main Prayer Hall
The main prayer hall is crowded most of the time with devotees who come to offer sacrifices. Tourists are allowed in to have a look and even to take part in some of the religious ceremonies. You will notice that the huge timber beams are intricately carved with beautiful woodworks. As you make you way inside the temple, there are many smaller chambers that are set aside for devotees who wish to take part in ancestor worship. Here, you will find many tablets that bear the pictures of the revered deceased. Locals come here to pay their respect and worship their ancestors. Some even come to burn paper money and other items to send them to their loved ones.
A part of the temple has been set aside to display newspaper cuttings that plea for the Bukit China burial ground to be maintained. This is mostly because the board of trustees for this particular temple is the same board as that of the burial grounds. The temple is an amazing place to gain a better understanding and insight of the Buddhist believes and their culture.
Recommended Area to Stay in Melaka |
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| Jonker Street | ||
| For those looking for culture exploration and food trails. Also known as a backpacker paradise. | ||
| Melaka Raya | ||
| A gateway to all the city attractions with wide range of accommodation options. |
