{{Short description|Chinese temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia}} {{EngvarB|date=March 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Snake Temple | native_name = {{langx|ms|Tokong Ular}}<br />{{lang-zh|蛇庙}} | image = Snake Temple, Penang.jpg | caption = | map_caption = Location within George Town | location = Jalan Tokong Ular, Bayan Lepas | map_type = Malaysia Penang George Town city centre | coordinates = {{Coord|5|18|50.20|N|100|17|06.71|E|tupe:landmark_region:MY-07|display=inline,title}} | religious_affiliation = Buddhism, Taoism, Chinese folk beliefs | municipality = George Town | state = Penang | country = Malaysia | functional_status = Active | completed = 1805 | architecture_type = Chinese temple }} {{Infobox Chinese |title= Snake Temple |s= 蛇庙 |t= 蛇廟 |p= Shé Miào |poj= Tsuâ-biō |pic=100px |piccap=Snake Temple in Simplified Chinese (top) and Traditional Chinese character (bottom) }}
The '''Snake Temple''' ({{zh|s=蛇庙|p=Shé Miào|poj=Tsuâ-biō}}), also known as the '''Temple of the Azure Clouds''',<ref name="Snake temple background">{{cite web|url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/a-tour-of-the-snake-temple-1629643|title=A Tour of the Snake Temple in Penang, Malaysia|author=Gregory Rodgers|publisher=TripSavvy|date=30 May 2018|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Snake temple background"/><ref name="Snake temple features">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2005/07/09/new-lure-at-snake-temple-in-penang/|title=New lure at snake temple in Penang|author=Choong Kwee Kim|work=The Star|date=9 July 2005|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>
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).<ref name="Penang snake temple">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehive.asia/2016/01/famous-places-to-visit-in-malaysia.html|title=Famous places to visit in Malaysia: Penang|author=Erny Suzira|publisher=The Hive Asia|date=10 January 2016|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> 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).
== History == 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 (960–1279) for his numerous miracles and good deeds especially in healing the sick and giving shelter to snakes.<ref name="Snake temple background"/><ref name="Snake temple features"/> When the temple structure was completed in the 1800s, snakes coming from the species of Wagler's pit viper reportedly appeared by themselves.<ref name="Snake temple background"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Clive Roots|title=Nocturnal Animals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YlUQPtK8J9kC&pg=PA39|year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-33546-4|pages=39–}}</ref>
== Features == The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/07/257766/penang-scotsmans-legacy|title=A Penang Scotsman's legacy|author=Alan Teh Leam Seng|publisher=New Straits Times|date=16 July 2017|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref name="Penang snake temple"/> Other species of snakes are also found in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2011/04/23/python-the-star-attraction-at-snake-temple/|title=Python the star attraction at Snake Temple|author=Anthony Tan|work=The Star|date=23 April 2011|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Snake temple background"/> In 2005, a snake breeding centre was set up in the temple.<ref name="Snake temple features"/>
<gallery> File:Snake Dance.jpg|Snake dance in the temple compound during night. File:Snake Temple exterior.jpg|The temple exterior. File:Snake Temple center interior.jpg|Viper snakes inside the temple. </gallery>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{commons category-inline|Snake Temple}}
{{Places of worship in George Town}} {{Buddhist temples in Malaysia}} {{Taoist temples in Malaysia}} {{Malaysian historical architectures and sites}}
Category:Chinese-Malaysian culture Category:Buddhist temples in George Town, Penang Category:Taoist temples in Malaysia Category:Religious buildings and structures in George Town, Penang Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1805 Category:19th-century Buddhist temples in Malaysia