Johor Bahru Old Chinese temple
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Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple (Chinese:柔佛古廟) known as Old Temple (Chinese:古廟) by the locals, is a Chinese temple located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Located at downtown Johor Bahru of Jalan Trus, the temple is flanked by modern skyscrapers; this temple is one of the oldest structures in Johor Bahru. The temple is a place of worship and a symbol of unity among Five Chinese Dialect Groups which are "Teochew", "Hoklo (Hokkien)", "Cantonese", "Hakka" and "Hainan".
In 2007, a Documentary Series called My Roots featured the temple in the episode "Grand March with the Deities".
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[edit] History
The temple was built during the 19th Century by then Head of Ngee Heng Company led by Mr. Tan Hiok Nee and various Chinese community leaders.[1]
Although there are no actual records regarding the completion of the temple, the plaque and the century-old bronze bell located in the temple shows that the temple is around 130 years old.
In 1995 / 1996, it underwent a major renovation a cost of MYR1.5 million. Much of its cultural aura was preserved, and important relics such as the century-old bronze bell, joss stick pot and wooden tablet remain.
[edit] Deities
The temple hosts 5 Deities. There are:
- Yuan Tian Shang Di (元天上帝) (大老爷)
- Hong Xian Da Di (洪仙大帝) (洪仙公)
- Gan Tian Da Di (感天大帝)
- Hua Guang Da Di (华光大帝)
- Zhao Da Yuan Shuai (赵大元帅)
Each of Deities are separated being prayed by "Teochew", "Hoklo (Hokkien)", "Cantonese", "Hakka" and "Hainan"
[edit] The Annual Chingay
Every year in the first lunar month, the Temple organizes its annual Chinngay known as the Parade of Deities (Chinese:古廟游神).
The Chingay parade lasts for four days. The climax of the parade is on the night of the 3rd day where the Deities parade around the Johor Bahru Town Center or in Chinese known as 圣駕巡游.
The annual Chingay has attracted more than 300,000 people to march around the major roads of Johor Bahru together with the 5 Deities being worshiped in the Old Temple.
[edit] References
- ^ History of Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple. Persekutuan Tiong-Hua. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
