While searching for the main attractions in Kuala lumpur, Malaysia I came across the beautiful Chinese temple -Thean Hou Temple.
Luckily I was in KL around Chinese New Year 2020 and the temple is must visit during the Chinese New Year celebrations, around mid January. There is also a Chinese lantern festival which is around 1st or 2nd week of February.
To reach to temple , you can reach to KL central by bus or train and from there you can take a cab which will cost around 12-15 RM. The temple is located on a small hill and due to festive celebration there was too much rush and the hill road was all packed with cars so we just walked up the hill. The road along the hill was also fully decorated with lanterns.
Once you enter the temple area , you will be mesmerized to see the typical Chinese temple architecture. It's six tiered temple and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia.
The temple was full of people who came to pay their respect on the occasion of new year celebration. I found the Chinese temple traditions quite similar to Indian tradition like .. lighting Diya, burning joss sticks , kneeling to god in prayer.
Once you enter the main temple area on 3rd floor , there is huge passage and a prayer hall. At the Center of the hall there is statue of the Tian Hau ,goddess who protect the fisherman along with 2 other altar towards left and right of Tian Hau. The altar on the right is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy while Shui Wei Sheng Niang(the Goddess of the Waterfront) is at the left.
The passage in front of prayer hall was all covered with red lanterns adding more charm to the beauty of temple.
After visiting prayer hall you can climb up to another floor from where you can see beautiful city view from hill top and the other structure of temple with carvings, red pillars , dragon structures.
At the back of temple you will find a nice garden and also number of statues lined up, collectively held as "The garden of 24 Filial exemplars". There are carvings of filial piety on the stones. Filial piety is china's most important moral tenet and pillar of the Chinese family structure.
Last but not the least if you want to enjoy more stunning view of temple do visit temple in night to witness the beauty in glowing lanterns all over.
