Kong Meng San Phor Kark - See the Buddhist Temple travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

This Buddhist temple is one of the largest places of worship in Singapore. It is the biggest complex of temples in Singapore and amongst one of the largest in South-East Asia. Examples of Chinese decoration, statues and shrines are found within peaceful gardens and the constant hum of prayers add to the tranquility. Saffron roofs, adorned with dragons and birds, compete with fire-engine-red doors to arrest the attention. Columns are covered with ornate carvings of lions, and swastikas loom over doorways, although these are the anti-clockwise version, an ancient symbol of good luck and protection.
In 1920, Venerable Zhuan Dao realised that the time was right to build a place of practice to propagate the Dharma and to provide lodging for monks, as there were many Buddhist monks who came to Singapore without lodging. In 1921, the building of Phor Kark See Monastery started as the first traditional Chinese forest monastery in Singapore.Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple, better known as The Bright Hill Temple, is in fact a Buddhist Temple. It is the largest religious building complex of Singapore. The largest and most modern religious complex on the island, this place, called Phor Kark See for short, is comprised of prayer and meditation halls, a hospice, gardens, and a vegetarian restaurant. The largest building is the Chinese-style Hall of Great Compassion. There is also the octagonal Hall of Great Virtue and a towering pagoda. Compared to other temples on the island, Phor Kark See seems shiny — having only been built in 1981. As a result, the religious images inside carry a strange, almost artificial, cartoon air about them.Commonly known as The Bright Hill Temple, the Phor Kark See Temple, is the largest temple complex in Singapore encompassing some 9 hectares (18 acres). Definitely worth visiting if for nothing else than it’s sheer size, the temple features beautiful Chinese pagodas replete with dragons, birds and other exquisite decorations, Buddhist library, large turtle pool and huge crematorium.

It is not only a very big Temple complex, but there are also the luxurious decorations of the buildings. As you can see again this is a paradise for the amateur photographer, as all these buildings are very colourful decorated. Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple at Sin Ming Avenue is an excellent place to experience this annual ceremony of family togetherness.