30m statue and shrine to open in December
By SYLVIA LOOIPENANG: A 30.2m high bronze statue and shrine of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin, is set to open in early December, replacing another statue that was built in white clay in 1977.
The RM70mil structure, located above the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, will incorporate a state-of-the-art lift that moves diagonally along the hill slope.
Chief abbot Rev Seck Jit Heng told a press conference here yesterday that workers were now putting the finishing touches to the statue and the country’s first hillslope lift that would bring visitors from the main temple to the shrine.
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NEW STATUE...a photo taken on Monday showing the RM70mil Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin bronze statue located on the hill above Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang. |
The old statue, constructed 25 years ago, was damaged over the years by rain and a fire in 1993.
Rev Seck said its opening on Dec 5 will mark the temple’s 111th anniversary. Ahead of the event, prayers will also be held to commemorate his appointment as the temple’s chief abbot.
Regarding the hillslope lift, Rev Seck said the temple committee had yet to decide on the charges for each ride.
It was reported earlier that the system, imported from Italy at a cost of RM2mil, would move under a pulley system.
The lift can take 30 passengers, especially the aged and disabled people, and the ride on the 101m track would take about one minute.
Passengers can get a scenic view through the glass panel of the lift, which will complement the existing temple as one of Penang’s main tourist spots.
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