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- Thian
Hock Kheng Temple
The
'Temple of Heavenly Happiness' in Telok Ayer
Street was built in 1841 and is dedicated to Ma
Chor Por, the Protector of Sailors. The site was
originally on the waterfront, before land
reclamation shifted the harbour to the east, and
in the early days Hokkien immigrants used to
gather here as they came ashore to give thanks
for a safe journey. The deity's statue was
brought over from China 1840 and was paraded
through the street with much aplomb.A pair of
stone lions guards the entrance to the temple:
make sure you twirl the stone ball in the mouth
of the lion for good luck as you step over the
high door sill which is built in this way to
prevent evil spirits from entering.