We reached Penang really early in the morning, it is around 5am in the morning when we managed found our hotel – Hard Rock Hotel Penang. We not allow to check in first, and yet still have a lot of time before we can…12 noon. Thus, Andrew decided to appoint a tour guide for us to have a short trip and use our time fully.
But, first of all, we went for our breakfast at the 24 hours open Mamak shop near our hotel. We had our nasi lemak, teh tarik, kopi-O, teh-O, roti canai, roti planta, etc. Then, we went back to our hotel lobby and waited for our tour guide.
Our tour guide named Dave. He came with a van, to accommodate 3 families, ha-ha…Due to it is considered as 4 hours tour in the city, so we decided to go the attractions which is further from our hotel, whereby the nearer we can visit there on our own. So, the first place to go is Wat Chaiyamangkalaram, a Thai Buddhist temple.
There were not much people there while we reaching there, it is still early in the morning. The temple volunteers were busy sweeping the courtyard. There is two dragons just in front of the temple, both is at left and right positions. There are two sort of semi gods at the entrance of the Main Wat, like protecting the temple.
Wat Chaiyamangkalaram (also Chayamangkalaram or Chaiya Mangkalaram) is one of the most resplendent Buddhist temples in the state. The outwardly Thai architecture applying vibrant colours and designs, this temple which is located towards the northern end of Georgetown, is sprawled over a five-acre land.
Its interiors are adorned with a great number of Buddha statues. The most impressive feature of the Wat is the statue of the reclining Buddha, draped with a gold-leafed robe, measuring some 33 metres, which is said to be one of the largest in the world. According to Buddhist beliefs, the posture assumed by the reclining Buddha in the Wat Chaiya, with his head resting in the palm of the right hand, while the head is turned upwards, signifies enlightenment or Nirvana. Underneath the reclining Buddha are niches where ashes of the deceased are kept.
Much of the structures and statues found here are either painted or gilded with gold. There is a nine-storey pagoda standing 50.3m high, said to be the tallest of its kind in Malaysia. Other attractions include enormous dragon serpents, sprawling from the balustrades of the temple's entrance towards the meditation hall. According to legend, these serpents are the link between heaven and earth. Contrary to western beliefs, Oriental mythology holds that serpents and dragons are propitious beings, and are not to be feared.
In the temple grounds, one will also come upon gruesome-looking looking, green-faced beings referred to as Dewas, standing guard before the temple entrance.
The Wat Chaiya was built in 1845 on five acres of land donated by Queen Victoria to the Thai community. The 'open policy' under the administration of Francis Light, invited many settlers from all over the region including from Burma and Thailand. Until today, the areas surrounding Wat Chaiyamangkalaram are populated by Penang's Thai minority. The first monk who served at this temple was a Theravada Buddhist monk from Thailand, Phorthan Kuat, also known as the "Powerful Monk", who was said to have been quite fond of laksa, a local speciality dish of Penang. No wonder there are some laksa in front of the monk statue.
At the side of the Main Wat, there is a library and a function hall. We did took a group photo in front of the temple before we adjourned to the Burmese Temple just across the street.
Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/
It is under renovation when we were there, upon entering the temple, there are pieces of crafts stones on the floor, all over the place laying in front of pillars. The children just ran freely in the temple.
