Ayiravaisyar Sri Meenakshi Sundaraeswarar Temple

This Indian Temple is located on the road to the Penang Botanical Gardens and is not frequented by tourist. It is interesting to take a look at this place, unfortunately the gates were lock. I could not find any information on the net about this place. I am sure it has it's story to tell. :-)

Opposite this temple there is also another one Indian Temple. also lock up unfortunately.

Can anyone tell us the history of this two place?

Buppharam Buddist Temple

Buppharam Buddist Temple

The Entrance

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Information

Note: information from various websites and personal visit, but mainly from

http://www.mir.com.my/leofoo/Thai-amulets/Penang/Wat_Buppharam/index.htm

Photo are taken by Snapshot with a Fuji S700 compact zoom. During Wesak Day.

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The Entrance

Location

Located at No 8, Jalan Perak, George Town, Penang Island – the longest road in Penang. Actually to me it is located at Pulau Tikus.

What Here

It is Build in 1942 by a Thai Buddhist monk named Phothan Srikheaw, who was regarded as the first Chief Abbot of this temple. This relatively small but old Thai Buddhist temple complex was built in 1942 by a The founding father of the temple is honored by a gold leaf covered image, together with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Chief Abbot of this temple, located at the front portion, near to the main building of this temple. This Temple is also know as SAKAK CHAN WA and The Temple of the Lifting Buddha

The temple grounds are decorated with various mythical religious creatures, such as the traditional Thai Nagas, and deities that popular Thai religion "borrowed" from other cultures, a mixture of Hinduism and Taoism. The statue of Ganesha, the elephant headed Hindu deity is placed at the main entrance. On the left, there is a beautiful shrine consecrated to the goddess Kuan Yin, a Mahayana Bodhisattva, and on the far side leading to the burial grounds, there is a small shrine to the Land God, a Taoist deity. In spite of its modest size, Wat Buppharam has arguably one of the largest temple arches in Penang.

There is a mini Buddha statue which was placed at one of the room to let visitors/worshippers seeking for spiritual guidance for personal and/or business matters. This has lead to the name The Temple of The Lifting Buddha. Here you can check if your wish will succeed by Praying and then attempting to Lift the Buddha.

Personal Comments.

As I was visiting on Wesak Day, due to the crowd and baby sitting duties I did not attempt to go into the temple. I will need to visit the temple another time. The Photos taken are of the exterior of the Temple.

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What Else in the Area.

At the nearby Pulau Tikus near the Police Station there are coffee shop that offer the Unique Penang Street Food. There are 2 nearby Temples at Lorong Burma.

I actually find this temple more interesting then the near by and more popular Temples.

Prayer items on sales

Admiral Cheng Ho Temple or Shrine / Sam Po Temple (Footprint)

A off the beaten trek tourist spot but a well known one is the Sam Po (Footprint) temple at Batu Maung, Penang Island.

Entrance to the Temple

It is located near the Penang Airport, next to the LKIM complex (fishery management) and just beside a Chinese Seafood Restaurant at the Tiny Fishing Village of Batu Maung.

A close up of the Statue

What is located Here?

There is a footprint (in rock) that is surpose to be 33inches long, which some say is surpose to be the foot print of Admiral Cheng Ho. Others say its belongs to the Legendary Hanuman or Monkey God. There is now a nice shrine or temple built here.

The Foot Print, coins thrown in for luck.

Who is Admiral Cheng Ho?

Cheng Ho is a legendary Chinese mariner who has lead a fleet of ships exploring the seven seas during the 1400+, he is also know as Zheng He, Sam Poh, Ma Po, Temples in his name can as it is known can be found in Perak, Cameron Highlands and Malacca.

Painting at Entrace showing Cheng Ho and His Fleet

Years ago!

Years ago, my father use to bring me here to a restaurant, that have concrete figures of animals cartoon caracters, now this restaurant have close down. My memories of this place is playing next to the animal and cartoon caracters, and even putting my feet to compare it size. at that time the foot print was right at the sea side.

A Bell in the Temple

The current temple

Is upgraded in 2003 to 2005, with a beautiful gate way entrance, the temple it self and the foot print is turn in to a well within the temple, beautiful manicure garden and a delighful pool full of carps.

View of the Temple

Other Activities

There are also two other tourist spots, the Penang War Museum and the Aquarium. In the are. There is a (Chinese) seafood restaurant here which is open of lunch and dinner.

Just in front of the Temple

For more information on Cheng Ho visit here.

Po Tay Buddist Temple

Category : Off the Beaten Path, Buddhist Temple.

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What to Expect, & Key Attractions

Antiques on Display!, Note the Bell.

Po Tay Buddhist Temple is a temple where the ancestor tablets of a chinese family is place. The main hall have is a large room with many of this tablets, and prayers are held, on a daily, monthly and yearly basis by the nuns them self. One May visit this temple daily. But what special here is the actual temple it self which is on the side of the Main Hall.

Antiques on Display!, Note the Drum.

What you can find here are some Antiques on display such as the Bell and Drum above, and the Altar it self. Photo displayed. Very Different from the Taoist Temples, and the other Buddhist temples that are heavily promoted in Penang.

Lady Praying at the Altar.

It is very quite here, if fact the door may even not be open, and if offer a very different prospective on life in Penang, one that is rarely seen.

Close up of the Lord Buddha

If you are in the area, and have the time, Drop by.

Location : At Gollib Road, Penang Island.

Hotel near here are G Hotel, & Berjaya Hotel.

Bukit Panchor State Park / Taman Negeri Bukit Panchor

Category: Nature, Penang Mainland, Off The Beaten Path

What to Expect, & Key Attractions

The State Park Logo

Bukit Panchor State Park is first develop in 1963, has good basic facilities to cater for the tourist, however it is “Off The Beaten Path” as it is located at the Southern Part of Penang Mainland, Seberang Prai Selatan. Its cover around 8 hectares, Among the plant life found in this lowland forest area are the huge meranti sarang punai (shorea parvifolia) and other trees like Keladan (Drybalanops oblongofolia) and Kapur (Dryobalanops aromatica). It’s Key attraction is it’s Bat Cave
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This place is for nature lovers, Jungle Trekkers to be precise, especially with the intention of exploring the Bat Caves. The Lower part of this place is nice just for a short visit as a introduction to a Forest Park. During the week ends and school holiday, local schools may organize camping activities here.

SnapShot Visit

Departing from Bukit Jawi Golf Resort at 5pm we arrive at the State Park at 5.30pm on a Monday, There were no people around at this time except for some Village Kids. Visiting at this time and on Monday is definitely off the normal tourist hours. But it’s a great opportunity for a PhotoShoot.

The Main Entrance

Once turning off the Main Road, we were driving along a Kampong (Village) Road (tared) that is just wide enough for a Car or a Van only, I will certainly not suggest not to bring a bus along. You will get look of life in a Malay Village along the way. Please drive carefully as, kids and animals are running all around. There are adequate signage’s on the way to prevent you from getting lost.

Entrance to the Park

At the Park entrance, there is a notice board with the Map of the State Park for you to get your bearings as well as a canteen (Close at this time). In this lower part of the park, you will find that there is a Concrete Pathway for you to walk on, and the undergrowth has been cleared. The Trees are spectacular, scoring up in to the sky and it is surprisingly cool.

Information Signage’s

Modern Convenience are available here, Toilets, Rest Huts, Camp Grounds, Cooking Areas, Play Ground.

Playground

Camping Site

At the end of the Concrete Pathway, there is a small swampland with a wooden walk way that lead in to the Jungle. Walk along the walkway to see various plants that grow there.

Wooden Walk way in to the Swampland

View from the Walkway

While you are walking along the concrete path, look at each tile, impress into each tile are images of various types of leaves.

Concrete path

Leaf Impression

On the left of this area, there is a Jungle Trek which lead to the Bat Caves a hike of around 2km I understand, Not for me, and definitely not at this time, I understand that it’s a steep hike. Please note that there are rules to follow.

The State Park Advice the following, - Take Pictures Only, Leave nothing but your Foot Print.

When Trekking
Follow Mark Trails
Move in Group of 4’s
Inform Someone Before and After Trekking
Bring along 2 liter of water per person
Where Proper Shoes for Steep Hill Trekking
Ensure You are Healthy.
Bring Along a Walking Stick

Sunlit Rest Hut

How to get there.

Snapshot recommend that you either hire a car or a taxi, or get a tourist guide to drive you to the state park, There is No Public Transportation to the State Park

Route Map to Taman Negeri Bukit Panchor / Bukit Panchor State Park via NSE, Juru Toll Exit

Drive along the NSE, heading towards KL, At the 2nd Exit (Jawi Exit), leave the NSE, and at the traffic light turn right, toward Sg Bakap / Butterworth), drive for 2k, pass Jawi Inn, turn left (at the A Rahman Nasi Kandar), drive for 1.5km, turn right, drive straight on passing Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, at T Junction, turn left, drive straight, at T junction turn right. The road to the State Park will be on your left. (Note: it is a small tar road)

Bamboo Grove

Closest Hotel:

International Class – 3/4Star

Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, Tel : 604-5820759 Web http://www.bukitjawi.com.my/

Facilities: 66 rooms, 36 Hole Golf Course, Chinese Restaurant, Coffee House

Budget Class

Seri Jawi Inn, Tel : 04 – 5822280

Facilities: Rooms, Restaurant

Suggestion

If you intend to drop by in the morning, snapshots suggest that you may want to try out the some of Penang Culinary Attractions in the area for Breakfast


- Chye Koey (Vege Cake) at Sungai Bakap Town, - Note “Contains Pork”

Seems to be a delicacy here, with outstation folks coming as far as 30km to have breakfast of this steam giant dumpling which is stuffed with stewed turnips or kuchai a spring onion type vegetable. There are two restaurants that serve it so be assured of one that opens. You can have, the Chye Koey with Tim Sum, Noodles and other dishes

Go to : http://malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com/2007/04/chye-koey-at-sungai-bakap.html for further details.

- Tosai at Nibong Tebal Railway Station.

Ever dine in a small quaint Railway Station. With your table practically right next to the track. Enjoy an excellent Fluffy Tosai, a Indian pancake, that is usually eaten with dhal curry and other accompaniment, usually for breakfast.

Go to: http://malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com/2007/04/nibong-tebal-tosai.html for further details.

You will find this two place mark on the location Map above.

For Further Information

Kindly contact the following

1. Pejabat Hutan Negeri

Tingkat 20, Menara KOMTAR, 10000 P. Pinang

Tel : 604-262 5272, Fax 604-263 6335, Email:jabatanp@sukkpp.gov.my

2. Pejabat Renjer Hutan Lipur Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai Selatan

14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang

Tel 604-5932877

The Bat Caves

Future Update, by some person who has actually been there.