Leng Eng Seah Temple

Heirloom from early Chinese pioneers of 150 years ago

Believed to be established in 1846, this is probably the oldest temple in the Raja Uda area, and certainly one of the oldest in the whole of Penang. The temple is smaller and inconspicuous compared to its neighbour, the grand and famous Tow Boo Kong Temple.

The main deity is the Si Wang Fu Da Ren. Interestingly, this figure is based on a divine historical general in ancient China who heroically saved the people. He defeated the invaders from northern China.

The choice of such a deity may well have been influenced by the desire among the early Chinese pioneering settlers in Butterworth to have some “protection” in what was then the foreign under-developed land here. 

The demigods worshipped here are Zhu Sheng Niang Niang, Da Er Ye Be and Na Du Gong. The mythologies associated with the deities are painted enchantingly on the white tiles within the airy temple hall. They depict episodes from the folk legends of the gods.

A key festival observed here is the birthday of Fu Da Ren on the 24th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar.

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Written by Himanshu Bhatt
Photographs by Adrian Cheah