The Snake Temple in Penang, Malaysia is a very old temple. The origins dates back to 1850 when the original temple was build.The temple was build in the memory of Chor Soo Kong by a Buddhist monk who had immigrated to Penang. Chor Soo Kong was a monk who lived in the 9th century AD. His ash was brought here to Penang in the mid 19th century by one of his followers. With him he brought myths and legends of the deity's healing powers.
According to legends Chor Soo Kong had given shelter to snakes when he lived in the jungle. As the story goes, snakes entered the temple after completing and have never left to pay respect to Chor Soo Kong.On entering the temple, there can be found quite a few snakes. Some would say the snakes are de-venomed but it's still not advised to pick them up or touch them. Local devotees believe that the temple's snake population has come there of its own accord. At the gates of the temple, there is a big incense burner. Inside the temple, in the main prayer hall it can be filled with smoke, which supposedly paralyzes the snakes.
I think it is one of the most interesting temples in the world. Snakes make it more attractive. If I were there, I would definitely take pictures of snakes.
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