#exoticplanetexplore project 002:

This week, let's explore these religious places in Kuala Lumpur.

Seven Fairies Temple Setapak

“Many young people come here to pray.”

Seven Fairies Temple in Setapak was founded in 1931 by Xie Mending, in addition to continuing the tradition and beliefs in China. The temple was built by donations from Xie Mending and other Ma Jie which are known as the single ladies. Today, the annual celebration of the Seven Sisters custom has not cooled down with the passage of time. The Seven Fairies Temple began to flourish from the sixth night of July according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Many young men and women came to worship and prayed for a good marriage. 

Traditionally, worshipping the seven sisters is mainly to get blessings for those seeking for marriage but many believers who wish to learn a craft, will also pray to the Seven Fairies. Many devotees pray to the Seven Fairies for family harmony, good life, good health, good things and smooth work. 

It is known that the Seven Fairies have their own duties respectively. For instance, the Big Sister is in charge of craftsmanship meanwhile the youngest Sister which is known as the Weaver Girl is in charge of marriage. Therefore, the significance of the Seven Fairies Temple is different from the general temple. 

Facts about the temple : 

• When visiting the temple, the minimum number of flowers per stick is 3 and the maximum is 7. Flowers should not have thorns so that everything that is wished for will go smoothly. 

• Fruits are advisable to offer to God as a sign of happy ending which means that whatever that is wished for, will be granted by God, no matter if it's of education or relationship purposes, etc.

• Red colour string will be given to devotees to be kept in their possession for a more prosperous relationships or connections with others. Seven Fairies Power are given to devotees to put onto their body so as to have more fate with others.

• Seven Fairies Power are given to devotees to put onto their body so as to have more fate with others.

The operational hours of the temple is from 10AM to 4.30PM and is only open on Sunday and every 1st and 15th of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The temple can be contacted via Facebook Messenger or telephone number (+603 4023 2699).

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

“The oldest Taoism temple in the city.”

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, which is the oldest Taoism temple in Kuala Lumpur was built by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy in 1864. Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is devoted to patron deities Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya who played a notable and remarkable role in accession to Kapitan Yap Ah Loy’s status during the 19th century. This temple is also known as a cultural centre among the Chinese community where it is usually filled with devotees during any significant occasions like during Chinese New Year and the 1st and 15th of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. 

The temple’s entrance has 2 sedan chairs that are more than 100 years old which belong to patron deities Sin Sze Ya and Si Sze Ya. A memorial plaque was featured in the temple as well in honour of Yap Ah Loy, Yap Kwan Seng and Yap Ah Shak who are known as the Chinese Kapitans of Kuala Lumpur and Chan Sow Lin who is one of the most famous tin tycoons of Kuala Lumpur. 

Facts about the temple : 

• Before major exams, many local Chinese students will visit Sin Sze Ya Temple to pray for good luck and receive blessings from the Wen Chang Di Jun, who is the God of Education according to the Chinese mythology. 

• Fortune-telling is also carried out in Sin Sze Si Ya Temple by devotees clattering a container that is filled with wooden sticks (which is known as the fortune-telling sticks) until one falls out. Afterwards, the  devotee will need to bring the fallen stick to the caretaker of the temple and get a paper slip that corresponds to the fallen sticks and the caretaker will explain what is the meaning of that specific fallen stick. 

• Walking with a circular direction in the temple’s main altar three times can bring good fortune. 

Visitors can access to Sin Sze Si Ya Temple easily using public transport such as LRT by reaching Masjid Jamek station or Pasar Seni station. Both stations are just 6 minute walk away. 

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple are opened daily from 7AM - 5PM and is located in 113A, Jalan Tun HS Lee, City Centre. 50050 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. The temple also can be contacted via their telephone number at +603 2078 9052.