Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple is a multi-faith temple enshrining deities from Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as the uniquely Malayan spiritual tradition of Datuk Kong. The temple dates back to the 1980s, when a shrine was built near the Loyang coastline. After a fire destroyed the shrine in 1996, a temple was built at Loyang Way before the institution moved to its current location in 2007.
The temple is divided into sections for Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Datuk Kong. These sections are distinguished by interior architecture styles that reflect their individual religious traditions, including lotus motifs for Buddhism and the yin-yang symbol for Taoism. Stone panels depicting scenes from traditional Chinese culture line the walls of the main hall, and the ceiling features numerous sculpted lanterns and dragons.
The temple’s main prayer hall houses the presiding deity, Tua Pek Kong. The deity’s statue was the only one among the original group of deity statues to survive the 1996 fire, and is placed in the centre of the main altar. The hall also includes a group of statues representing Tai Sui and other Taoist deities. In the Buddhist section, a Dizang Bodhisattva is enshrined, and an ornately carved abacus with a lotus motif is mounted on the ceiling.
The temple’s other sections contain shrines for Datuk Kong as well as Ganesha and other Hindu deities. Datuk Kong, a Malayan deity inspired by Chinese conceptions of local guardian spirits, is represented by a keramat (a shrine) wrapped with a yellow cloth and housed within an onion dome structure. Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity of wisdom, fortune and the removal of obstacles, is worshipped in the remaining section.
Explore the Suggested Short Trail Routes:
- Coastal Heritage , 3.5km: 1 hour on foot; 30 mins on bicycle
- Play @Pasir Ris , 4.5km: 1 hour on foot
- Architectural Highlights , 5.6km: 1.5 hours on foot
