| Snake Temple | |
| Native Name: | ms|Tokong Ular Chinese: θεΊ |
| Location: | Jalan Tokong Ular, Bayan Lepas |
| Map Type: | Malaysia Penang George Town city centre |
| Religious Affiliation: | Buddhism, Taoism, Chinese folk beliefs |
| Municipality: | George Town |
| State: | Penang |
| Country: | Malaysia |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Completed: | 1805 |
| Architecture Type: | Chinese temple |
The Snake Temple, also known as the Temple of the Azure Clouds,[1] is a Chinese temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Bayan Lepas, the temple is well-known for being a refuge of resident snakes, said to be reincarnated disciples of the deified Buddhist monk Master Qingshui, to whom the temple is dedicated.[1] [2]
Devotees from as far away as Singapore, Taiwan and China come to pray in the temple on the monk's birthday (the sixth day of the first lunar month).[3] It was also featured during the 8th leg of The Amazing Race 16 and become a backdrop of Tan Twan Eng's novel The Gift of Rain (book 1, chapter 4).[4]
The temple was constructed in the 1805 to honour Chor Soo Kong (also known as Master Qingshui), a Buddhist monk who lived during the Song dynasty (960β1279) for his numerous miracles and good deeds especially in healing the sick and giving shelter to snakes.[1] [2] When the temple structure was completed in the 1800s, snakes coming from the species of Wagler's pit viper reportedly appeared by themselves.[1] [5]
The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers.[6] The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have been de-venomed while still retaining their fangs.[2] [3] Other species of snakes are also found in the temple.[2] [7] Visitors are warned against picking up the reptiles and placing them on their bodies to take pictures. Aside from the snakes, two brick wells known as the "Dragon Eye Wells/Dragon Pure Water Wells" are located inside the temple together with two giant brass bells.[1] In 2005, a snake breeding centre was set up in the temple.[2]