Goddess of Mercy Temple

Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, formerly known and Pitt Street, was also called the 'Street of Harmony' because it was reserved for places of worship by the colonial powers. Along this street are also Christian churches, Hindu temples and one of Penang's oldest mosques in addition to the temple dedicated ot Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, good fortune, peace and fertility. In English, the temple is generally simply referred to as The Goddess of Mercy Temple.

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The large forecourt of the Goddess of Mercy temple

The large forecourt of the Goddess of Mercy temple

One of the altars in the temple

Some of the elaborate sculptures on the roof of the temple

An altar to the ancestors in the temple

The temple was founded around 1800. Inside is dark with years of smoke, as well as a ritual burning that is traditional for these temples. As is also typical of Chinese shrines, there's a side chapel for people to pay homage to clan ancestors.

The goddess has three feast days a year, when there will often be performances of Chinese opera or puppet shows in the large forecourt.

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