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Thean Hou Temple ~ Places to Visit in
Kuala Lumpur HOME > VISITORS GUIDE > PLACES TO VISIT > KL CITY CENTRE > TIAN HOU TEMPLE Sitting atop a hill, the Thean Hou Temple with elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, features traditional and contemporary Chinese architectural design. With decorative beams, spectacular roofs, ceilings, calligraphic couplets, and murals, the temple is dedicated to the patron Goddess Thean Hou of the Hainanese community. This grand structure has made it a popular tourist destination and a place to relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the temple set against the city's skyline.
The front entrance of the temple features a multi-arched gateway with red pillars, the colour symbolic of prosperity and good fortune. Souvenir stalls
and a canteen are found on the 1st level. The 2nd level houses the
multi-purpose hall while offices are located on the 3rd level. The 4th level
has 3 tiers and the prayer hall is located here. In addition to her altar in the prayer hall, there are also statues of Guan Yin set amongst rocks and falling water. Here one can kneel and receive a blessing of water from the statue. In the small garden at the front of the temple are interesting statues of Guan Yin and the Three Wise Men (from right; The God of Longevity, he holds a staff and a peach; The God of Wealth, he holds a sceptre sword; and, The God of Happiness and Prosperity, he holds a child). Opposite the temple,
there is a collection of other large statues that include representations of
the twelve animals of Chinese astrology The dragon was the most revered of all animals during ancient times and is symbolic of life. It is a sign of vigilance, strength and goodness.
Numbered sticks have been placed in the container. You will need to draw up the whole bundle of sticks and drop them back into the container. The sole stick that sticks out is your 'luck'. You then match the number on the stick with the appropriate drawer. Each drawer contains pink slips of paper with the fortune told in Chinese and English.
Apart from being a place of worship, the temple is also a place for cultural activities. It hosts an average of 100 activities annually. Among them are the grand birthday celebrations for Thean Hou
Goddess, Kuan Yin and the Goddess of the Waterfront, Dharma Prayers, Wesak
Day, Mooncake Festival and the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. The
Thean Hou Goddess birthday celebration at the temple is touted as the
biggest ever held outside China. Note
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Thean Hou Temple in
Kuala Lumpur is one of the largest Chinese temples in South-East Asia.
Despite
the dedication to Thean Hou (or Tien Hou), worship of Guan Yin (or "Guan
Shi-Yin") is a recurrent theme here.
Dragons
are prominently featured in this temple. At the 4th level, the courtyard has
a mural of a fierce dragon and the white pillars of the prayer hall are
decorated with writhing dragons. Its image is also seen on the walls and
roofs.
Fortune Telling
Celebrations
& Festivals
Lin
Mo was always lending a helping hand to villagers who were in difficulties
and thus gained love and respect for her many good deeds. Her knowledge of
herbal medicine enabled her to cure the sick and she taught the villagers
how to prevent diseases and ward off calamities. She was also familiar with
the sea and was good at making astronomical observations and calculating
weather changes. Lin Mo could tell when was the right time for sailors and
fishermen to go to sea. 