Cheoh Thau Kong 石頭公, Jelutong

Cheon Thau Kong (4 June 2013)


Cheoh Thau Kong (GPS: 5.39509, 100.31784), (Traditional Chinese: 石頭公, Simplified Chinese: 石头公, New Penang Hokkien Writing System: Ciok3 Thau2 Kong1 ) is a Taoist temple in Jelutong. Its official name is Cip3 Hock1 Tong2 (Traditional/Simplified Chinese: 集福堂, Pinyin: Jí fú táng), but it is better known as Cheoh Thau Kong.

The history of Cheoh Thau Kong goes back to the late 19th century. At the time Cheoh Thau Kong Temple was first built, it stood right at the end of a mangrove coast. Since then, the area has seen several phases of reclamation, although immediately beyond the temple, there is a settlement called the Cheoh Thau Kong Jetties, where the people still live on stilts above the water.

The Cheoh Thau Kong Temple has an entrance arch that faces Jalan Jelutong. The temple is dedicated to the Taoist deity for masonry and granite work - the name cheoh thau (ciok3thau2 ) means granite. There is a small lane that leads to the temple. The lane is called Jalan Tokong Batu meaning "stone temple lane".

Since the beginning of 2013, the area around Cheoh Thau Kong Temple was cleared to make way for a condominium project. The temple itself has been rebuilt, and when I visited, looked as good as new. It faces east, in the direction of the rising sun.

The new Cheoh Thau Kong Temple has a tiled compound surrounded by a stainless-steel fence. In front of the prayer hall is a portico supported by four dragon pillars. The roof is in the traditional temple style, with the ridges curving upwards and topped by prancing dragons. Images of the principal and subsidiary deities are installed at the far wall of the prayer hall. On the side walls are murals depicting various legendary epics.

The principal deity of the Cheoh Thau Kong Temple is in fact Tua Pek Kong, the ubiquitious god of prosperity that is usually worshipped as the guardian within a settlement. This is just one of two Tua Pek Kong temples within the immediate vicinity, with another smaller one close by. Other deities at the temple include Baosheng Tua Teh, Tua Jee Yah Pek and Hu Yah Kong.

Update

4 June, 2013: I have always been curious over a Chinese temple arch in Jelutong each time I pass through the main road. I knew there is a temple deep inside the rather haphazard arrangement of village houses, but never took time to find out until recently. By then, all the houses have been demolished to make way for a condominium project, and for the first time, I could see the temple from the main road.

At first I thought I couldn't reach it, as it appears to be surrounded by the construction side. Then I notice that there is a small lane by the side. I followed that lane, went all around, and came back to a compound in front of the temple. It has been recently rebuilt.

16 March, 2013: Cheoh Thau Kong is temporarily out of bounds as its surroundings are cleared to make way for urban redevelopment. The temple is expected to be retained and restored.

Prayer hall at the new Cheoh Thau Kong Temple (4 June 2013)


Cheoh Thau Kong Temple, Jelutong (4 June 2013)


Wall mural at the new Cheoh Thau Kong Temple (4 June 2013)


Founding stelae, new Cheoh Thau Kong Temple (4 June 2013)


Dragon pillars at the new Cheoh Thau Kong Temple (4 June 2013)

Cheoh Thau Tong Temple is on the map of the Places of Worship in Jelutong

Cheoh Thau Kong Temple is on the Map of Jelutong

List of Chinese Temples in Penang and Chinese Temples in Malaysia

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