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| Cheng Ho Statue in front of Sam Poo Kong Temple, Semarang |
Sam Poo Kong or Sam Po Kong is the title of Admiral Cheng Ho alias Zeng He, the meaning is Kasim Three Jewels. I wonder what the meaning of the name given the Chinese emperor. But clearly, Sam Poo Kong Temple in Semarang built in honor of the admiral tionghoa-Muslims.
Simorang located at Jl Raya, Semarang, this temple can be a fun destination to spend the evening in Semarang. Like when we visit there on Saturday (05/23/2015) yesterday, Semarang residents and tourists eager to enjoy the atmosphere. Eve Semarang is hot during the day was already fading.
To enter into the temple, to pay Rp 3,000 local tourists and foreign tourists to pay Rp 10,000. Next live to enjoy the atmosphere inside. The first impression for me is magnificent and relieved.
Understandably, a dozen temples I've been to, the new Sam Poo Kong who had midfield alias inner courtyard. More like a kind of square in the middle of the temple. The car park was quite relieved at the front of the temple.
The main temple buildings on the four sides of the field. On the south side there is a statue of Ho Chen tall towering above the pedestal. On the wall there is a marble pedestal contains the history of Zheng He undertook an expedition world, including Indonesia.
Interestingly, writing an English version and Indonesian different contents. Translating not know each other. Read let alone both increasingly understood.
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| Main Temple, Sam Poo Kong Temple, Semarang |
Then there are three buildings for worship, the south side is the greatest. The prayer room is closed to tourists, and only intended for those who want to pray. But we still can shoot from the outside or making the background of our pictures.
8 Statue Boddhisatva and fish pond that extends in front of the worship space, a proof of the strong elements of feng shui in this temple. But, if you can not see the altar do not worry. Still there is one other building on the east side as the stage, which is quite magnificent to tourists explore.
"The building is used if there is a big event, but if there's no event so could use the photographs," said Ival, a visitor who has been several times to this temple.
While on the western side there are lush tree lined with rows of park benches proceeds from the donations of the people of Confucianism. There is also a costume rental facilities for tourists who want style style Chinese royalty and daughter.
I actually praised the spirit of religious tolerance at Sam Poo Kong. Although this temple, they provide for tourists musala Muslim prayers near the entrance of the temple.
Musala existence is indeed necessary, given the Cheng Ho is one of the Muslim leaders in the history of the world. Surely, there will be a lot of Muslim travelers who visit this place.
