My Travel plan always include a walking trail be it a hill side view ,a street view or temple views.I invariably get a satisfaction that I have visited the History of that place once I complete my Trekking.City of Melaka founded by an Hindu King who travelled on Elephant and later converted to Islam in 1409, is famous for its Dutch buildings nevertheless has a history of its own.The Legacy of the Dutch is visible with an old windmill and beautiful Red colour buildings which explains the aura of the city.Even though the city has displaced traditional family businesses-Indian Goldsmiths,Chinese Blacksmiths,Malaysian Fishermen ,it no doubt attracts Tourists and the Historic Red square is filled with weekenders from KL and Singapore and it will be difficult for any one to move around, especially Jonker street in particular.
Masjid Kmpung Kling is an old Mosque with a pagoda minaret and is situated in the Harmony street.The original wooden structure was built by Indian Muslim Traders in 1748. The architecture design of the Mosque is a blend of chinese,Hindu,Malay and Sumantran.The minaret,ablution pool and entrance arch were built at the same time with the main building.The Mosque has a blend of English and Portuguese glazed tiles,corinthian columns with symmentrical arches in the main prayer hall,a Victorian candlier,a wooden pulpit with Hindu and chinese style carvings.The Moorish cast iron lamp posts in the place of ablution for pre prayer wash is beautiful.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple also called Temple of Green Cloud is situated close by.It is the oldest functioning Temple in Malaysia.This temple consists of several Prayer halls ,with a large main prayer hall dedicated to the goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin.One of the features of Cheng Hoon Teng temple is the seven meter red flag pole facing the left wing of the main prayer hall,which houses the remains of the two of the three Kapitans who contributed to the construction of the Temple.Across the road is a traditional opera theatre which forms part of the Cheng Hoon Teng temple complex.
The building confirms to the principles of feng shui.Built in 1645 by Kapitan Lee Wei King with building materials brought from China,Cheng Hoon Teng served as the main place of worship for the Local Hoklo(Hokkien) community.In 1962 the abbot Seck Kim Seng ordianed Houn Jivu Kennett,a Zen nun from England and the future founder oif the order of Buddhist contemplatives at this temple.
In 2003 UNESCO the outstanding architectural restoration awrd to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple.
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