GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of devotees thronged Hock Hin Keong (Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple) in Bayan Lepas to pay homage to the deity Chor Soo Kong on his birthday on Friday (Jan 27).
The birthday, which falls on the sixth day of the first lunar month, saw devotees who came out in droves making offerings and praying to the deity by bringing along joss sticks, flowers, fruits and other items to the temple.
Managed by the Hokkien Kongsi, Penang, the temple is famous for the flame-watching ritual held at its premises.
Hokkien Kongsi chairman Datuk Khoo Kay Hock said devotees begin to visit the temple from Thursday (Jan 26) night to celebrate the deity's birthday.
"The devotees came on Thursday night where we held the Ban Ka Lan Festival at the temple; we also had an opera show during the festival to mark the deity's birthday," he said.
He said the good turnout was due to the more than two years where devotees could not come to the temple due to restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 213-year-old temple was built for Master Choo Sor Kong, a Chinese Buddhist monk who lived during the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279).
When he died at 65 after a lifetime of good deeds, he was honoured with the title “Chor Soo”, meaning eminent historic figure, and was thereafter worshipped.
Legend has it that the deity gave shelter to the snakes in the jungle and in the vicinity.
When the temple was completed, the snakes moved in and were regarded as his protectors.
