Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong (二条路斗母宫)

Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


The Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (二条路斗母宫) is a newly expanded Chinese temple in George Town, Penang. As its name suggests, the temple is located along Noordin Street. It is near the junction with Bridge Street.

The Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple venerates Tow Moo. She is known in Mandarin as Dǒu Mǔ (斗母), and in both Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism as the Marici Deva (摩利支天菩萨), or goddess of the heavens. In the local (Malaysian) context, the Marici Deva is usually identified as the Mother of the Big Dipper (Dǒu Mu Yuán Jūn, 斗姥元君), mother of the Nine Emperor Gods (Jiǔ Huáng Da Di, 九皇大帝)

Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple, George Town (1 June 2013)


The portico of Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


Front façade of Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


Roof ornamentation, Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


Chien nien figurines, Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


Water-spewing dragon, Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


Multi-tier pagoda, Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (1 June 2013)


The temple began as a simple roadside shrine in the early 20th century. In 2011, it began an expansion program expected to be completed in early 2013. A new temple building was constructed to replace the existing shrine. The new temple building has a prayer hall that is two storeys tall. The front entrance is sheltered by a porch supported by four granite dragon pillars.

The Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple usually participates in the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival, when it will send a float to join in the parade through the streets of George Town to send off the Nine Emperor Gods.

The temple can be reached through this side alley from Magazine Road (1 June 2013)

Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple under construction

The following photographs were taken in July and December 2012, when the Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple was under construction.

Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (15 December 2012)


Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (30 July 2012)


Roof ornamentation, Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple (15 December 2012)


Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple shrine hall being made ready (15 December 2012)


One of the door gods of Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple, the eyes not yet dotted (15 December 2012)


Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple ceiling ornamentation (15 December 2012)


Noordin Street Tow Moo Keong Temple, construction in progress (30 July 2012)

Getting there

The nearest bus stop is along McNair Street. It is served by Rapid Penang bus 302 and 401.

List of Chinese Temples in Penang and Chinese Temples in Malaysia