Information
Landmark: Snake TempleCity: Penang
Country: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Snake Temple, Penang, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Locals call it the Snake Temple-some say Hutan Bandar Snake Temple, others the Serpent Temple-and it’s one of Penang’s most unusual and striking sights, with live snakes draped lazily over its wooden beams.You’ll find it in Bayan Lepas, a town on Penang Island’s southern coast, just a short drive from Penang International Airport where the air smells faintly of jet fuel.This temple honors Venus deva, a Buddhist deity, and is known for its live snakes-especially venomous pit vipers-that glide silently through the shaded courtyards.The Snake Temple draws crowds for its rare mix of sacred tradition and live snakes coiled in the rafters.History: In 1850, Chinese businessman Cheng Hooi Seong built the Snake Temple, its incense curling into the warm Penang air.It was first built as a temple for Cheng Choi, the Taoist deity, and as a quiet memorial honoring the Chinese monks who had died.Over the years, the temple became known for something unusual-snakes gliding silently across its cool stone floors.People say the snakes are sacred, and their presence now weaves into the temple’s quiet charm, like shadows curling along the worn stone steps.Locals say the snakes slid toward the temple, drawn by a divine aura-an unseen presence that seemed to hum in the warm stone walls.Over time, people started calling it the Snake Temple, a name whispered while incense curled through the air.The temple shelters plenty of snakes, including the Malayan pit viper-a venomous yet calm creature often found coiled in the shade.You’ll often spot these snakes curled tight on the temple’s cool stone altars, wrapped around pillars, or draped in the branches overhead.You might spot them stretched out in the quiet temple or lounging in the dappled shade of the courtyard and garden.The snakes live in a space where the warmth and damp air feel just right, letting them thrive.Worshippers say the snakes slither to the temple, drawn by the Taoist deity’s blessings and the pull of its sacred energy.Though they carry venom, these snakes won’t harm you as long as you leave them alone-step back and let them slip quietly through the grass.The temple’s caretakers feed the snakes each day and check their scales for signs of illness, keeping them healthy and well cared for.People say the snakes aren’t a danger to devotees or visitors, as the temple’s spiritual energy leaves them calm and still, coiled quietly in the shade.Still, visitors should be careful and steer clear of the snakes, letting them coil undisturbed in the grass.Architecture and Features: The Snake Temple blends traditional Chinese design, with carved wooden doors you can feel under your fingertips, curved tiled roofs, and bright red lanterns swaying in the breeze.Inside the temple, you’ll find altars devoted to different deities-rows of carved wood and flickering candles-centered around the main figure, Cheng Choi.In the temple’s main hall, visitors spot snakes sprawled across the altars or draped like ropes from the ceiling beams.You’ll often spot snakes-especially King Cobras and pit vipers-in the temple’s central area, where incense curls in the air and small offerings rest on worn stone.The temple’s courtyard stretches wide, ringed with stone statues of deities and bright green palms swaying in the warm air.Visitors might spot snakes gliding through the garden paths or curling in the shade on the temple grounds.A tall, ornate arch rises over the temple’s entrance gate, its stone covered in delicate carvings-a familiar sight at many Chinese temples that draws visitors in with its warm, inviting charm.The temple serves as the heart of worship for the local Taoist community, a place where incense drifts through the air as people bow, offer prayers, and ask for health, safety, and prosperity.Locals and tourists alike stop by the temple, drawn to the sight of snakes coiled in the sun along its stone steps.During Chinese New Year and other Taoist festivals, the Snake Temple comes alive with the scent of incense, as worshippers gather for special prayers, ceremonies, and rituals to honor the deities.Snakes often play a part in these celebrations, woven into the temple’s traditions like the hiss of incense curling through the air.Snake Handling: Years ago, people told of monks trained to grip a coiled serpent during certain rituals, but these days the practice has faded, mostly out of concern for safety.Still, some visitors relish watching the snakes coil and sway, and a few even get to hold a smooth, non-venomous one while a caretaker stands close by.Over the years, the Snake Temple has taken an active role in protecting snakes, even caring for injured ones brought in from nearby forests.Temple caretakers tend the snakes with steady hands, making sure they stay healthy and move with their usual slow, fluid grace.They teach people why snakes matter in the ecosystem and work to replace fear with understanding-sometimes by letting someone feel the smooth, cool scales of a harmless one.The temple teams up with local officials to handle the snakes safely, then offers them a quiet sanctuary where they can coil up in the shade.Now and then, the snakes slither unhindered through the temple grounds, their scales whispering over the stone, though careful watch ensures they never slip beyond the compound walls.Admission to the Snake Temple is usually free, but visitors are welcome to drop a few coins into the wooden donation box to help maintain the temple and care for its snakes.Feel free to snap photos of the snakes and the temple’s stunning grounds, from the bright red lanterns to the carved stone steps.When people and snakes share the same space without fear, it creates a rare chance for a striking photograph-like sunlight glinting off smooth scales beside a dusty boot.The temple welcomes visitors every day, but it’s best to arrive at dawn or near sunset, when the cool air stirs the snakes into graceful motion.Nearby Attractions: You’ll find the Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas, just minutes from Penang International Airport, and a short drive brings you to spots like the lush trails of Penang National Park or the colorful wings at the Penang Butterfly Farm.In conclusion, Penang’s Snake Temple mixes culture, faith, and living serpents, their cool scales coiled on warm stone altars.What makes this temple stand out is the snakes gliding through its cool, shadowed halls, an unexpected sight in such a sacred and tranquil place.If you’re curious about something out of the ordinary and want a glimpse into Penang’s rich mix of cultures, step into the Snake Temple-where incense drifts through the air and the experience lingers in your memory.It’s a place where nature meets spirituality and tradition, blending like sunlight through old cedar branches.
