Penang 2024 - Wesak Week Temple Visit Part 1

It has been ages since I attended the Wesak Day Procession in Penang. As the procession is held at night, and I don't have my own transport, it wasn't really convenient for me to attend, even when I am now staying in Penang. So I decided to do the next best thing, which is to visit all the temples around the area during Wesak Week. I invited my 80+ aunty to join me, and she was more than happy to say yes.

 

We started our little Wesak Week pilgrimage at the Siamese Temple at Pulau Tikus as this was where my paternal grandmother's urn was housed. We took a Grab there, and went in to pay our respect. I've been coming here more often now that I'm back in Penang. It used to be a place for family reunion during Hungry Ghost and Cheng Beng festival. But now, the most was just me, my aunt, and maybe my cousin coming here occasionally. 

Above is my aunt, inside the temple. It also houses one of the largest sleeping Buddha in South East Asia. And underneath it is where all the urns are kept, as well as at the back of it. My grandma's urn is placed here. There is a fortune telling machine there, and it's just a custom for me to go play with it and read my fortune for the year. 

Outside the main temple, there is also a smaller hall housing various Goddess of Mercy, as well as one gigantic one. It's always fun to come here just before Chinese New Year when they give the Goddess a bath and dresses her for the New Year.

Behind the statue are various Buddhist art pieces. I like the one above, for the colour scheme, as well as the lotus flower.

The opposite of the Goddess of the Mercy Hall, is another hall with a sitting Buddha in it. This one was more Thai influence in deco. 

The hall is decorated with various Thai art, like the above wooden window door, beautifully crafted from wood and painted gold.

Or this shinning blue mosaic piece of what looked like an old lady walking in the forest. 

We also went behind where the huge golden pagoda is. My aunt's brother in law's urn is placed here. Again, this is more a Thai influence deco.  I also love the art piece drawn on the ceiling. 

Above, the main idol. Love the space and emptiness of the hall. I sat here with my aunt and we chit chat for almost half an hour before moving on to our next temple. I like spending my time with my aunt, as I felt that it was easier to talk to her cause most of my cousins are all hard of hearing. My aunt also loves to walk, so that made her a good companion for me. However as she ages, I am more careful of where I took her, and often include Grab rides in our outing. It wasn't that she can't walk long distance. I was more worried about her rushing across the roads in Penang and falling down. I wonder how long more I would be able to spend my time with her....