33. Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple 安济圣王庙

Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple 安济圣王庙  (dedicated to Lord Green Dragon 安济圣王or 请龙爷) is located at 131 West Coast Drive. It's original location was in Pasir Panjang.

From the plaque on the wall of the temple, is the history of Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple

Wang Kang was a high-ranking official of the kingdom of Shu Han - one of the three kingdoms in Chinese history. Being an upright and honest official, he was deeply respected by the people. He was given the title of An Ji Shen Wang (Ang Chee Sia Ong) after his death and a temple was built to honour him. Green snakes were often spotted at the temple and when the people of Chao Shan saw one at the battlefield, they would invariably emerge victorious. They believed that the green snake was the transformation of Ang Chee Sia Ong, whose spirit provided a protection of them against disasters. Hence Ang Chee Sia Ong was also known as Sacred Lord Green Dragon (Qing Long Shen Wang) and the temple, Qing Long Gu Miao. 

In the Ming dynasty, there was a drought in Yong Chang, Yunnan province. The official then, Xie Shaochang took it upon himself to open the official granary before writing to the imperial court. Obtaining approval for ration from the emperor would mean a delay, leading to starvation and death for the residents. However, he was sentenced to death for this. As such, he was hung up in a tree in a mountain for three days and would be released if, by a miracle, he survived. One day, a figure appeared in the sky and spread a large black cloth which subsequently turned into a huge patch of dark cloud, shielding Xie from sun and wind. Xie survived and was released. Praying at the An Ji Shen Wang Temple in gratitude, he realized that Wang Kang’s statue bore a resemblance to his mysterious Savior. After that, he started burning incense and praying to the god day and night. Also, he brought the statue of An Ji Shen Wang along with him upon his return to Chaozhou and built a temple in his honour. The number of worshippers grew and they moved the statue to a bigger temple at the south bank of Hanjiang later and named it Qing Long Gu Miao.

In the Qing dynasty, Emperor Kang Xi sent his younger brother to Chaozhou, to build battleships for the conquest of Taiwan Island. Seeking divine prediction from the lord in the Qing Long Gu Miao, the divine sticks turned up negative for three times, hinting at failure. Indeed, the Qing court suffered great losses later on. When questioned, the brother revealed his encounter at the temple, upon which the emperor sensed a great mystical power of prediction of An Ji Shen Wang. In respect of him, Kang Xi ordered an Inspiration Tablet made and placed inside the temple to honour the lord. From then on the fame of the temple spread even wider and its story became known to one and all.

More details on the history of the temple could be read from its website.

There is a bridge that links the temple across a canal to the housing estate. If you step on the right step, the two dragons will give you a shower of blessings. There is also a dragon sprouting out water that you could bring home with the bottles provided in the temple.

33. Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple 安济圣王庙

Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple 安济圣王庙 An Ji Sheng Wang Miao  (a temple dedicated to Lord Green Dragon  安济圣王 or 请龙爷 ) is located at 131 West Coast Drive stands. It's original location was in Pasir Panjang.

From the plaque on the wall of the temple, is the history of Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple

Wang Kang was a high-ranking official of the kingdom of Shu Han - one of the three kingdoms in Chinese history. Being an upright and honest official, he was deeply respected by the people. He was given the title of An Ji Shen Wang (Ang Chee Sia Ong) after his death and a temple was built to honour him. Green snakes were often spotted at the temple and when the people of Chao Shan saw one at the battlefield, they would invariably emerge victorious. They believed that the green snake was the transformation of Ang Chee Sia Ong, whose spirit provided a protection of them against disasters. Hence Ang Chee Sia Ong was also known as Sacred Lord Green Dragon (Qing Long Shen Wang) and the temple, Qing Long Gu Miao. 

In the Ming dynasty, there was a drought in Yong Chang, Yunnan province. The official then, Xie Shaochang took it upon himself to open the official granary before writing to the imperial court. Obtaining approval for ration from the emperor would mean a delay, leading to starvation and death for the residents. However, he was sentenced to death for this. As such, he was hung up in a tree in a mountain for three days and would be released if, by a miracle, he survived. One day, a figure appeared in the sky and spread a large black cloth which subsequently turned into a huge patch of dark cloud, shielding Xie from sun and wind. Xie survived and was released. Praying at the An Ji Shen Wang Temple in gratitude, he realized that Wang Kang’s statue bore a resemblance to his mysterious Savior. After that, he started burning incense and praying to the god day and night. Also, he brought the statue of An Ji Shen Wang along with him upon his return to Chaozhou and built a temple in his honour. The number of worshippers grew and they moved the statue to a bigger temple at the south bank of Hanjiang later and named it Qing Long Gu Miao.

In the Qing dynasty, Emperor Kang Xi sent his younger brother to Chaozhou, to build battleships for the conquest of Taiwan Island. Seeking divine prediction from the lord in the Qing Long Gu Miao, the divine sticks turned up negative for three times, hinting at failure. Indeed, the Qing court suffered great losses later on. When questioned, the brother revealed his encounter at the temple, upon which the emperor sensed a great mystical power of prediction of An Ji Shen Wang. In respect of him, Kang Xi ordered an Inspiration Tablet made and placed inside the temple to honour the lord. From then on the fame of the temple spread even wider and its story became known to one and all.

More details on the history of the temple could be read from its website.

There is a bridge that links the temple across a canal to the housing estate. If you step on the right step, the two dragons will give you a shower of blessings. There is also a dragon sprouting out water that you could bring home with the bottles provided in the temple.

The celebration of the temple in honour of Ang Chee Sia Ong is 5M05 (5th day of the 5th Lunar Month)

32. Hai Nan Shan Tian Gong Tan 海南山天公坛

Nested at the corner of Upper Thomson Rd (175) with the former Lakeview Estate (now no more there), in a narrow strip of land, stands the  Hai Lam Sua Ti Kong Tua  海南山天公坛 (Hai Nan Shan Tian Gong Tan). This year, 2009, the temple celebrates its 105th Anniversary from 14Nov to 23Nov.

This temple must have seen the changes in this area known as Hai Lam Sua 海南山 (Hai Nan Shan) since 105 years ago. Over the years, the temple has also evolved, through renovation and just a couple of years ago, it was rebuilt to what it is today.

This temple is probably the only Jade Emperor 玉皇 Temple in this vicinity. In the temple, the other two deities are Tua Pek Kong 大伯公 (Da Bo Gong) and Guan Yin 观音.

Chinese Temples 庙宇文化 Book 3 is out!

The third volume of Chinese Temples in Singapore, Miao Yu Wen Hua 庙宇文化, has been released and are available at most newspaper stand.

31. Shuang Lin Cheng Huang Miao 双林城隍庙

If you go in by the main entrance to the well known Shuang Lin Si, you would have notice this rather old looking temple near to the gate.

According to the notice in the temple, this temple was built in the 29th year of the reign of Emperor Guan Xi, 1903. This temple could be one of the oldest if not the oldest Cheng Huang (City God) temple in Singapore.

Inside the temple building was just one huge hall with a high ceiling. It is possible that the Deities could have been added in this temple over time. Some of the statues could be very old from the look of the sculpture, and yet some of them looked rather new. Many of the statues of the Deities have their names placed in front of them, thus, making easy identification.

This temple has a pair of unique lion statues that seem to be laughing all the time. And there is also a pair of horses that looked almost comical with the pakchoy and carrot placed on their heads. To the devotees, it mean something to them.

On the right hand side of the temple, as you walk in, you will find the famous Tiger God. In this temple, there is someone who offers services for any devotee who want to have special rituals conducted with respect to the Tiger God. It is said that if one has back-stabbers (probably in business or workplace), one could come to seek protection from the Tiger God.

From morning to evening, this temple is never short of devotees, who come, offer their prayers, and leave, each at his or her own time and pace.

30. Chwee Hean Keng 水显宫 (Shui Xian Gong)

This is one of the few temples dedicated to Sam Tiong Ong 三忠王 (San Zhong Wang), deities from the late Song Dynasty, Wen Tian-Xiang 文天祥, Lu Xiu-Fu 陆秀夫 and Zhang Shi-Jie 张世杰. This temple, located at Zion Road, is standing on a piece of land that has been en-bloc for redevelopment. This temple has been here for at least more than 70 years, witnessing the changing tributary of the Singapore River - when the descendants of the great tongkang builders from China continued their tradition for the busy Singapore River further downstream, the big Bukit Ho Swee fire, of which it stood while the surrounding attap houses burnt down, and how the "phoenix" rose from the fire in the forms of HDB flats, and it itself now might not survive the demolition ball.

Inside this temple, there was a framed picture dedicated by the Lu Clan Association, showing a statue of Lu Xiu-Fu, with a brief history of the three matyrs of the Song Dynasty. I reproduce it here for better understanding:

Wen Tian-xiang, Lu Xiu-fu, and Zhang Shi-jie were the three patriotic officials of the late Song 宋Dynasty period. In 1275 A.D., the Yuan 元 army came south to invade China. The three of them organised more than 10,000 volunteers in the capital city of Southern Song 南宋, Lin-an  临安(present Hang-zhou 杭州, to fight the enemy. In 1276 A.D., Wen Tian-xiang was appointed the Chief Minister in charge of the non-military affairs, and Lu Xiu-fu the Chief Minister in charge of military affairs. Later, when the capital city was occupied by the Yuan army, they led the troops, retreating to coastal provinces including Zhe-jiang 浙江, Fu-jian 福建 and Guang-dong 广东.

They continued the struggle with the Yuan army proclaiming Zhao-shi 赵是 and Zhao-bing 赵昺as successful emperors. In 1278 A.D., Wen Tian-xiang was captured after this troops were defeated. In prison, he wrote the famous Zheng-qi song 正气歌 to express his sense of patriotism and loyalty, resisting the threats and briberies of the Yuan regime. In 1283 A.D., he died in prison heroically. In 1279 A.D., Lu Xiu-fu and Zhang Shi-jie escaped to Ya-san 崖山 in Guang-dong province, together with the young emperor Zhao-bing. The Yuan troops were hot on their heels. The situation was made worse by a typhoon. Zhang Shi-jie attempted a break-through with his troops. His ship capsized and he was drowned. Lu Xiu-fu realised that the situation had become hopeless. Carry emperor Zhao-bin on his back, he and his wife ended their lives by jumping into the sea. Later, the people admired the patriotism of these three great officials and worshipped them as the three patriotic lords of the Song Dynasty.

This temple carries with it its stories, most of which would be lost because all are orally transmitted down the generations. I was told that this temple was a result of an exchange of two temples between San Zhong Wang and Guang Ze Zun Wang. As it turned out Guang Ze Zun Wang's temple further down the river was burnt down and this temple was most of the time indunated with flooding water, especially during the extreme high tide. Could well be a myth.

It was almost like a temple as a stranger in its own surrounding as the residents moved to various parts of Singapore. But each year, during its festive days (9M16), the loyal devotees remember and would return to pay respects to their three patriotic lords, a constant reminder of what they should be.

Links

Sam Tiong Ong temple in Malaysia

29. Guan Hock Dian 圆福殿 (Yuan Fu Dian)

Also known as Tua Kang Lai Temple (because it is near to a canal), this 100+ year old temple is now the witness to the rapidly evolving Singapore, in a sea of modern terrace houses and tall condominiums. In its days, it was surrounded by attap houses where most of the villagers were said to come from a same area in AngKuei (Anxi) in China. Most of them have the Chua (Cai) surname.

The main Deity of this temple is Dang Kong Jin Lin 董公真人(Dong Gong Zhen Ren). This Deity, from the statue and a framed drawing, looks like a Buddhist monk. This temple was the centre of worship to the village in the old days and is said to be well known as far as Jurong and Changi. With the support of villagers and devotees, the temple was rebuilt and renovated many times to what it is today. The soggy ground during rainy days were concretised. This is probably the only temple in Singapore with the most well kept (and renovated) permanent opera stage.

There are five Deities on the main altar, and Guan Yin on the side. The five deities are: Xie Tian Da Di 协天大帝 (Guan Gong), Wu Gu Zhen Xian 五谷真仙, Fu Xi Xian Di 茯羲仙帝, Fan Hou Xian Shi 范侯仙师, and Dong Gong Zhen Ren 董公真人. Will need Bro Jave to enlighten us more about the deities, especially Fu Xi Xian Di, Fan Hou Xian Shi and Dong Gong Zhen Ren.

The temple festive dates are:

5M08 & 08: In honour of Xie Tian Da Di 协天大帝

8M08 & 09: In honour of Wu Gu Zhen Xian 五谷真仙, Fu Xi Xian Di 茯羲仙帝, Fan Hou Xian Shi 范侯仙师

11M09 & 10: In honour of Dong Gong Zhen Ren 董公真人

The Location:
Guan Hock Dian 圆福殿
Yuan Fu Dian
Tua Kang Lai Temple
14 Jalan Kabaya
tel: 64667423

28. Tian Teck Keng 天德宫 (Tian De Gong)

Tian Teck Keng has its origin in a kampong behind the Rochor Tua Pek Kong Temple, off Balestier Road. In the old days, when there were no temples, the families of the village would come together each year to celebrate the "deity of the village" and they would pua-puay (using the divination blocks) to seek for Lor-Chu (head of the joss urn). In this village, they did the same for Nezha - Lian Hua San Tai Zi 哪吒 莲花三太子. Whoever got the lor-chu will bring home the statue of Lian Hua San Tai Zi and the joss urn home to worship the deity till the next year. And so, the Deity made his round of the homes in the village, depending on who is keen to "apply" to host him. The TiKong (Jade Emperor) urn dated 1922 still exists today. This means probably the practice was carried out way before that. The temple has just celebrated its 87th Anniversary this year, 2 May 2009 (4M08).

Later, it was decided that there should be a more permanent place for Nezha and so, they built a wooden hut under the Spirited Tree in the same compound as Tua Pek Kong but had to move to behind the temple, renting a space from Hokkien Huay Kuan. 

Some 16 years ago, under the urban renewal programme, the temple in wooden structure had to go. With some compensation, it moved to 37 Kim Keat Lane where it stayed for 8 years. It then moved to Geylang Lorong 3 (the famous temple squatters) where it stayed for 3 years before moving to the current temple at Tampines Link.

The temple now has 44 years to stay put in this place until the expiry of the lease. The current temple is in a bigger temple complex housing the other two temples, Poh An Keng (Bao An Gong) and Kao Tiao Kio (Jiu Tiao Qiao) Temple.

Location
95 Tampines Link #01-03  
Singapore 518486
Tel: 6787 9618
Fax: 6466 6863

http://www.ttktemple.org.sg.