Thousands flock to Singapore’s ‘turtle island’ for Chinese temple’s 100th year

Tens of thousands of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian devotees are making a pilgrimage to Da Bo Gong Temple on Singapore’s tiny Kuiu Island

Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is one of the temple’s main deities and is thought to answer the prayers of childless couples

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The sun rises behind Singapore’s Kusu Island and the Da Bo Gong temple during the annual pilgrimage on the ninth month of the Lunar calendar. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:00pm, 25 Oct 2023Updated: 6:29pm, 25 Oct 2023

On Singapore’s tiny Kusu islet, legend has it that a giant turtle turned itself into an island to save two sailors. A century after a Chinese temple was opened on its shores, pilgrims are still flowing in, seeking good fortunes.

Tens of thousands of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian devotees are making the annual pilgrimage to Da Bo Gong Temple until November 12 to mark its 100th year on the island, whose name translates to “turtle”.

Founded in 1923, the green, red and white temple named after the God of Prosperity is believed to grant good fortune, serenity and protection.

Singaporean Lee Yeong Chee (right) takes pictures of his wife Sam Lim (centre) and their son Triton (second from left) throwing coins in a wishing well at Da Bo Gong Temple. Photo: AFP

Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is one of the temple’s main deities and is thought to answer the prayers of childless couples.

Velmurugan Kolanjinathan, 39, an engineer from India working in Singapore, and his wife Selvarani, 35, made the half-hour ferry trip to the southern island to pray for a child after six years of marriage. “[Either] a boy or a girl is fine for us,” Kolanjinathan said.

He said his friend, whose wife had a baby after praying at the temple, had advised him to try the same.

Others prayed for good fortune for themselves and for the world at the temple, which is built on the island’s shore and elevated on stilts to protect it against rising tides.

Thousands flock to Singapore’s ‘turtle island’ for Chinese temple’s 100th year

Tens of thousands of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian devotees are making a pilgrimage to Da Bo Gong Temple on Singapore’s tiny Kuiu Island Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is one of the temple’s main deities and is thought to answer the prayers of childless couples

Tens of thousands of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian devotees are making a pilgrimage to Da Bo Gong Temple on Singapore’s tiny Kuiu Island

Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is one of the temple’s main deities and is thought to answer the prayers of childless couples