Klenteng Tjoe Ling Kiong

Near alon-alon

Nice temple

Unique..

Tuban City - East Java has been known only for its beautiful and interesting Kwan Sing Bio Temple with all its stories.nnBut actually, in this city there is also another temple, namely Tjoe Ling Kiong Temple. This is quite interesting because in the room there are reliefs depicting cats.nnTjoe Ling Kiong Temple is located in the city center, which is north of the Tuban square. Its location on the edge of the main route of Jalan Raya Pantura Semarang - Surabaya makes it easy to recognize and visit.nnIn contrast to the situation with Kwan Sing Bio Temple, which has a large courtyard with lots of rooms and parking lots, the Tjoe Ling Kion Temple, which has a statue of a pair of dragons, actually does not have a large yard and a vehicle parking lot.nnThe building and room of the temple are also quite small. Inside the temple there is a main altar for offerings. Various ornaments and utensils for the Tri Darma prayer such as incense, yuswa, hio long, lanterns and candles adorn the room.nnThe main offering altar is guarded by a statue of a pair of tigers on either side. A painting depicting a dragon adorns the upper side of the front. Tjoe Ling Kiong Temple is dedicated to Goddess Tianhou (Tianhou or Ma Zu or Mak Co (Hokkien), also known as Tian Shang Sheng Mu (Mandarin) or Thian Siang Sing Bo. Is the goddess of protection for sailors from Fujian (Hokkian).nnBut besides the main altar there are statues of other gods, namely Fude Zhengshen (Fude zhengshen is the 'god of earth and wealth') and Jialia.nnWhat is interesting is that there is a relief depicting a dragon on the east wall and a relief of a cat on the west wall. I don't know what the specialty of the cat animal is for this temple. Because cat ornaments are rarely found adorning other temple buildings.nnAt the back of the main offering altar, to the right and left, there is also an offering altar. Unfortunately, visitors who are other than Tri Darma followers and not in need of worship are not allowed to enter this companion altar room.nnStepping outside the temple building, to the east there is a Chinese-style gate.nnAt the top of the gate, which is bright and lively in color, there are ornaments depicting dragons, Hong birds and giants that are shaped like Kala reliefs in the temple building.nnBehind the gate is a garden with a swimming pool and a statue of Kilin, a dragon animal in Chinese mythology. To the right and left of the entrance which is connected to the hallway on the east side are two cat statues as well.nnThis temple is an old building that keeps traces of Chinese history, traditions and culture in the past. Inside the temple there is an inscription about a retoration that was carried out in th. 1850. So it is estimated that the temple existed long before 1850.nnBut it's a shame because the Tjoe Ling Kion temple seems exclusive and closed, which makes residents feel reluctant to visit it. Unlike the case with Kwan Sing Bio Temple, where the atmosphere and nuance is more open to visitors.nnSo it's understandable that many Tuban residents don't know much about this temple even though they often cross this temple building

Seen from the front it looks quiet, but right when you go inside it feels comfortable, really nice place