1. the dragon arch leading to Sam Wong Kong temple
Sam Wong Kong in Batu Gajah, about 20km or 40 minutes’ drive from Ipoh, is the only Nine Emperor Gods temple in the town.
2. Heaven altar
3. Legendary Third Prince
Surprisingly, many of the Taoist devotees here are from the south – Johor and Singapore. Of course, locals throng the temple as well for nine days to pay homage to the Nine Emperor Gods and to give thanks for wishes granted throughout the year.
4. entrance to Sam Wong Kong temple
5. devotees praying at the main altar, with Goddess Dou Mu in the centre
Sam Wong Kong is actually very famous for its red tortoise-shaped buns , which are offered in pairs to the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu to seek good health and longevity. The tortoise is known for its long life, while red is an auspicious colour.
6. offerings to Taoist deities at the main altar
7. the Legendary Five Directional Camps Generals / Marshals
Like many Taoist temples, Sam Wong Kong serves complimentary vegetarian meals three times a day during the Nine Emperor Gods festival. It is a norm for the devotees to pack home the food for their families.
8. entrance to the Nine Emperor Gods inner chamber
9. Pak Yeh
The temple will also be conducting a religious procession around Batu Gajah town later today from 7pm onwards. It is expected to take an hour.
10. Datuk Kong
11. spiritual horse
Additionally, on the final day of the festival (Oct 2), there will be a fire-walking ceremony in the evening. These rituals are expected to pull in a large crowd of spectators, whether they are Taoists or not.
12. Nine Emperor Gods powerful cloth talisman issued by Sam Wong Kong for betterment
13. devotees queue up to purchase a joss package that includes a pair of tortoise dumplings to offer to the deities
Although Sam Wong Kong has no specific address, it is not difficult to locate as it is just off 0.5Km Jalan Tanjung Tualang main road from Batu Gajah. With the new dragon arch that leads towards the temple, it is even easier to spot.
14. devotees queuing up to pack home complimentary vegetarian meals
15. the dragon arch
Sam Wong Kong (Taoist temple)
Add: 0.5Km off Jalan Tanjung Tualang from Batu Gajah, Perak.
GPS Coordinates: N 04° 28.037′ E101° 02.542′
*for non-Muslims only
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