Q's Mind: LOYANG TUA PEK GONG TEMPLE

洛阳大伯公宫
05 February 2008; 23: 30hrs...

Had the sudden urge to visit the Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple... so here I am, deep inside the Loyang Way... However, what's left is only this empty route in...

There used to be big red lanterns lining all the way inside; cars will be driving in and out this narrow route... but now the route is blocked off with bollards...
but that doesn't stop me from walking in... (freaky walk in)... the other end would be a left turn and another 100 metres inward, where we would reach the coast. Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple used to be just there... now, the area is laid with newly planted grass... was too dark to be able to shoot anything into the dark open, with or without flash. (Besides, it doesn't make sense to shoot into the dark, and really caught something, dun ya think?)

Learnt from the security guard nearby that Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple was closed since August 2007; and the new temple is just down the road... one street ahead.

Oh ya, by the way, if you happened to be near that area in the day, do drop by this Stamford Tyres House. Workshop, Sports Rims, Car Accessories Show Room, Skill Mechanics, and FREE coffee and internet access there. Oh, did I mentioned that the cashier is a looker?

New Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple
Down the next street, there it is... right ahead... you wun miss the lights. Got down with my digital machine gun and began shooting anything I see... (can spot my car?) Beautiful isn't it?! Best time to go at night because of several reasons:

Free Parking;
Its windy and cooling at night;
Lotsa beautiful lightings!

From the road side, this is the left hand side of the temple...
Before walking in, there is this beautiful Koi Pond to the left... (best place to release unwanted fish and tortoise... kekeke) and the popular Ice Cream Uncle to the right!Inside, this is the front view of the temple... spectacular view...
Number of incense hanging overhead: Lost count...
Slightly closer to the front door...
If you are there, do take a look up at the ceiling... its very elaborated...
Think its a dragon up there... its too shiny and bright already; people with sensitive eyes are advised to wear shades before glancing upwards...

even the pillars are beautifully carved...

and here's a side-shot of the offerings table...

Pay a nominal fee there and you will get a package of offerings that includes incense papers, incense joysticks, tidbits, and tea leaves.

Stepped in, and here's a closer shot of Tua Pek Gong (大伯公)

(Facing Tua Pek Gong) To your left is 五将军 (5th General, literal translation)...

and (Facing Tua Pek Gong) To your right is 太岁殿 (Tai Sui Hall)...

To the right of 太岁殿 is a corridor leading to another hall behind, and along this corridor, you will see pictures of the old Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple... This one below is the one near the coast.

When I visited last year and glanced down into the waters, I could see many fishes in the water, and even huge schools of baby fishes! There was even a news article last year that reported of hundreds of fishes splashing about near the water surface in front of this temple, before Chinese New Year.

And here is a picture of the New Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple in the day..

Past this corridor is 伯公宫阴殿 (the Netherworld Hall, literal translation)...

Here, you will find 地藏王殿...

金钱伯殿...

and 大二爷殿...

right in front of the altar, you will find a circular abacus table; what I see people do is - walk around the table with your hand placed on the abacus and scroll through... I think it signifies that you will have $$$ to count... but I am not sure though...

Oh, and inside this hall, do glance upwards at the ceiling too; there is a HUGE circular abacus above too!

I exited though this door in front of the altar... to the left is 土地公 & 虎爷公, while to the right is 十方孤魂亭 (if I remembered correctly...)

土地公's bunglow...

and here's 虎爷公...

Prove that I was there...

Completed the left side of the temple and I came back to the front again... here's another shot of the ceiling...

Bright... too bright...

excellant workmanship above...

Oh! Look what I spotted! Jack Russell~ cute, real cute (minus the nut sack swinging left and right as it run past me)...

and here's a right-side view of the temple... to the right is an open area... and many people drove their cars right inside to park...

and here is the Hindu Temple. (Respectfully speaking, since I do not know much about the Hindu religion / culture, I shall not comment anything.)

Back to the doggie... this fellow is one shy dog... kept running away from me. Had a hard time chasing it down without attracting too much attention from the worshippers at the temple...

something in his eyes tells me he is hungry... but this was the closest I could get to him (more than 1 arm's length) before he scrambles away (again)...

Oh! And here's another! She is so adorable~!!!

Will she bite? *Pats the head* Success! xD

(Author's comment: I live by the principle "Anything that has mouth WILL bite", so never let your guard down.)

Her coat is so pretty~

Back to the Hindu Worshipping portion...

Ah-Neh there in yellow is the temple's staff, clearing off the incense joysticks...

Take note: No footwears beyond the yellow lines! Be respectful ya~

Here is a closer shot...

and right behind, we'll see this...

and this...

Next up, 十方孤魂亭 (Literally translated as "10-Directions-Lonely-Souls-Pavilion").

but on the way there... I walked passed the Temple's Kitchen windows and spotted HIM~!!! He is the master resident dog of the old Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple~! Asked permisson from the uncles inside to take a picture of him through the windows...

I was invited into the kitchen to take a better picture too~! This fella is known for his "Fats". He is eating and "nuahing" all day long~~

(Author's note: Its safe to assume that all the dogs residing at Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple are very tame. My friend, however, was biten once before... for a reason not known to me...)

And here it is... 十方孤魂亭 ...

Oh, the Abbot at this temple loves Magnolia ice creams, so he got this installed somewhere behind the temple, in case the ice cream uncle in front doesn't do business on any day...

I returned to the Main Hall and took more pictures...

太岁殿...

大伯公...

五将军...

Oh, notice that scepter in front of the 大伯公 altar?

Magic Attack +200, INT +78...

oh, another doggie at the doors! But this fellow as a DNDM (Do NOT Disturb Me) look...

One last shot of the offerings table and I left the temple...

(Sidetrack...)

06 February 2008, 00:45 hours

Knowing very well that Chinese New Year's Eve is definitely gonna be crowded at the car wash... I headed for the car wash on the way home... looks like I wasn't the only person who is kiasu... 7 cars ahead of me already....