Archive for July, 2006

Taken from Asia Explorers

The [tag]Dhammikarama[/tag] [tag]Burmese Temple[/tag] at [tag]Burmah Lane[/tag], originally known as the Nandy Molah Burmese Temple, was the first Buddhist temple to be built in [tag]Penang[/tag] in 1803, on land donated by Nyonya Betong, one of its many woman patrons. The oldest part of the temple is the stupa which was consecrated in 1805. It is enshrined within an outer stupa which was constructed in 1838, together with the ceremonial hall guarded by a pair of stone elephants.

Mythical figures and religious icons dot the spacious compound, much of which were later additions. Among them are bell-bearing acolytes, myriad buddhas, chimeras and flying beings. Two huge and imposing-looking chinthes (mythical beings that are a cross between a dragon, a dog and a lion) flank the entrance to the main prayer hall. At a disused 200 year-old well is a huge pond filled with carps. [tag]Buddha[/tag] statues in different meditative poses nestle in grottos marked with the names of individual donors as well as signs of the zodiac. A pair of winged chimeras called Panca Rupa look resplendent in the roles as “Guardian Protectors of the World.”

A huge mural depicts the Great Renunciation of Prince Siddharta. The future Buddha is shown riding his steed Kanthaka in mid-air with his faithful servant Channa seemingly hanging on. Evil beings try to discourage him from his noble quest while good ones welcome him with open arms.

At the main prayer hall, voices are reduced to a whisper and the silence is broken only by the occasional ringing of temple bells.

Seriously, I didn’t know there was a [tag]National Park[/tag] in [tag]Penang[/tag]. If you are unaware of this too, it is located in [tag]Teluk Bahang[/tag], further down [tag]Batu Ferringhi[/tag] beach. Take the 12 o’clock turn at the roundabout and you will reach this place eventually.

I only found out this place because I wanted to go to [tag]Pantai Kerachut[/tag]. The only 2 ways to reach this beach are either by boat or on foot. Walking through the dense and rocky jungle is free while renting a boat taking you back and forth costs RM160, it can ferry 15 people.

I didn’t know we had to go through a jungle in order to reach the beach, from what I read in the forums, I only expected to register in the office lol. Anyway the road to reach the beach was just too exhausting and the weather was really hot. We only managed to reach half of the path, and decided to turn back as the day was getting late.

I still want to get to Pantai Kerachut, but next time I will be more prepared (I wore slipper -_- this time) and will start the trip in the morning.