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Monday November 9, 2009

Kek Lok Si Temple pavilion may get world recognition

By TAN SIN CHOW


GEORGE TOWN: The 20-storey high pavilion, built to shelter the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, may be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest in the world.

Abbot Rev Seck Jit Heng said the temple management planned to include the RM40mil structure in the records book.

“It is rare to see an octagonal pavilion so tall,” he said. “This landmark should be recognised,” he told reporters at the temple office here yesterday.

The 60.9m three-tiered roof pavilion, which is supported by 16 granite pillars, serves as a canopy for the 30.2m-tall bronze statue.

Tall landmark: The pavilion acts as a canopy for the 30.2m-tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang.

Each pillar consists of 40 circular blocks of granite, with a thickness of 45cm and a circumference of 2.1m. The core is filled with reinforced concrete.

Rev Jit Heng said the temple would hold a triple celebration on Dec 6, including a grand opening of the pavilion.

“We will also be celebrating the temple’s 118th anniversary and the 20th memorial ceremony for the fourth chief abbot Venerable Bai Sheng, the founder of the Kuan Yin statue,” he said.

“More than 10,000 people are expected at the ceremony.”

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