Majestic creature: Visitors looking at a Wagler’s Pit Viper up close at Hock Hin Keong in Bayan Lepas, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Tourist draw in Penang seeks return of former glory
GEORGE TOWN: The temple in Bayan Lepas teems with tourists, many peering into corners and under tree branches. It is Penang’s famous Snake Temple, but it is running out of snakes.
The temple, which turns 220 years old next year, is now out to increase its population of Wagler’s Pit Vipers for the coming Year of the Snake.
Where once snakes roamed all over the temple, there are only about 50 now, mostly in the garden behind the temple. Only a few are still to be seen in the main temple chamber.
The temple committee, however, aims to restore the unique house of worship to its former glory when the snakes were a common sight all over the temple, and yet posed no harm to the people.
“In the past, snakes from the jungle behind the temple would come here,” said temple chairman Datuk Lim Gim Hin recently.
“They could be seen resting on tables, wooden beams, above doorways, or among tree branches and plants.
“But with the development and deforestation, there are few wild snakes left,” he said, adding that there were once some 200 snakes there.
“As Wagler’s Pit Vipers do not lay eggs and give birth to live young, the babies are highly vulnerable, with birds preying on them.“Each female can produce 10 to 20 young at a time, but survival rates are low.
“Breeding efforts in the natural environment at the small orchard in the temple have brought limited success.
“If anyone has these pit vipers and is willing to donate them, we would gladly accept,” he said.
Built in 1805, the temple known as Hock Hin Keong (Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple) was built in remembrance of Master Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist monk who lived during the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279) and revered for his compassion.
When he died at 65, he was honoured and thereafter worshipped.
Legend has it that the deity gave shelter to snakes from the nearby jungle, and Wagler’s Pit Vipers followed him into the temple. Over time, more of them came to the temple and were regarded as his protectors.
Wagler’s Pit Vipers, known for their striking green body with bands of black and yellow, are commonly found in forests in South-East Asia. While venomous, their toxin is not typically fatal to humans.
This Year of the Snake, which begins on Jan 29, marks a full zodiac cycle since the temple hosted its grand festival 12 years ago.
The festival’s organising chairman Datuk Cheah Cheng Ean said celebrations will be in full swing after a subdued period due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“On Feb 2, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, we will host the annual fire-watching ceremony and revive the temple festival.
“The temple will be adorned with colourful lights, while visitors can enjoy snake shows and fireworks displays,” he said.
