Thian Hock Keng Temple; Singapore

The Thian Hock Keng Temple (天福宫 Tiānfú Gōng; Temple of Heavenly Happiness) is the oldest Hokkien style temple in Singapore. It's a mix of Taoist and Buddhist. Its main temple is for the Goddess Ma Zu (媽祖), the Goddess of the Sea and protector of fishermen and seafarers. The second temple, at the back, is dedicated to Kuan Yin (觀音菩薩), the Goddess/Bodhisattva of Mercy. The temple was built in 1839, for the Hokkien immigrants settling in Singapore from Fujian, China. Tan Tock Seng and Si Hoo Keh both contributed money for the construction of the temple.

Ma Zu with Bao Sheng Da Di (left) & Guan Sheng Di Jun (right)
*Bao Sheng Da Di and Guan Sheng Di Jun aren't that visible
in the photo, they got covered by the gold column separating
them from Ma Zu

Kuan Yin with Yue Gong Niang Niang (left) & Tai Yang Gong (right)

Emperor Guang Xu (光緒) of the Qing Dynasty gave the Thian Hock Keng Temple a plaque with the characters: Bo Jing Nan Ming (Gentle Waves Over the South Seas) in 1907, which shows the importance and symbol of the temple, as well as the temple's influence and significance over hazardous sea voyages. The plaque hangs above Goddess Ma Zu.

The temple's  construction and design is in a southern Chinese style. The temple's architecture is "open". Everything is connected by wide open corridors. Dragons and phoenixes decorate the temple from top to bottom. Guarding the temple's doors are temple lions, dragons and the door gods essentials of any Buddhist and Taoist temple/s. And another amazing thing about the temple, its construction and design is that zero nails were used!

Door God (門神)

The temple also houses an array of other gods/deities in its many halls and altars.

• Qie Lan Pu Sa/Boddhisattva Sangharama/Temple Protection Bodhisattva (伽蓝菩萨)
• Cheng Huang Ye/City God (城隍爷)
• Kai Zhang Seng Wang/The Sacred Governor Kai Zhang (开漳圣王)
• Bao Sheng Da Di/God of Medicine (保生大帝)
• Guan Di/God of War (关圣帝君)
• Da Er Ye Bo (大二爷伯)
• Confucius (孔子)
• Amitoufo/Amitaba Buddha (阿弥陀佛)
• Di Zhang/Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩萨)
• Tai Yang Gong/The Sun God (太阳公)
• Yue Gong Niang Niang/The Moon Goddess (月宫娘娘)

Qie Lan Pu Sa

City God/Cheng Huang Ye with Da Er Ye Bo

Kai Zhang Sheng Wang

Confucius

Amitaba Buddha

The Ancestral Hall/Hall of the Dead & Di Zhang
or Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

I may not be Hokkien or of Hokkien descent, but the Thian Hock Keng Temple is indeed one of the most beautiful temples I have visited and worshipped at (being Buddhist and Taoist myself). As a place of art and culture it is definitely a place that shows rich tradition and history of the Hokkien people. It's no wonder why the temple received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2001.

The temple isn't that big and it's impossible to get lost as you walk around and explore. You won't miss any of the halls and altars as you walk around, everything is visible and noticeable because of the temple's open architecture and design. The size of the temple, makes it feel warm and inviting and not at all intimidating. You'll also notice the colourful Peranakan style tiles that cover the floor of the temple instantly. Just follow the rules once you enter the temple, don't forget it is still a place of worship and a very spiritual space as well. Don't be too noisy as you go around, you'll see people praying and meditating as you walk around.

The Thian Hock Keng Temple is located at:

#158 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068613

Operating Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm

*It's only a 1-2 minute walk from Telok Ayer MRT Station!