1.
LS Temple
3 ft

2.
MLS Devotees giving alms to beggars.
5 ft

3.
MS Devotees going to temple.
7 ft

4.
MS Ditto.
10 1/2 ft

5.
CU Joss-sticks on altar.
11 1/2 ft

6.
CU Devotee's hand.
13 ft

7.
MLS Devotees praying at altar.
16 ft

8.
CU Hand holding snake.
17 1/2 ft

9.
MS Devotee holding snake and makes a wish.
20 ft

10.
CU Eggs in flower pot.
22 1/2 ft

11.
MS Devotee putting eggs for snakes.
25 ft

12.
MCU Snake.
26 1/2 ft

13.
MS Snakes curling in trees (3 shots).
33 ft

14.
MS Devotees looking at snakes.
36 ft

15.
LS Devotees in temple.
40 ft



Initials TDH/V/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Malayan off-shore island of Penang, a Chinese temple is dominated by unusual inmates...snakes, snakes which are known to be poisonous but which have been harmless to thousands of devotees who gather at the temple right round the year.

A fortnight after the Chinese New Year, the temple takes on added importance. The devotees increase in number. They come from all over Malaya bringing for the snakes, eggs as offering, and to pray to the Deity for blessings.

The most sought after blessings are: wealth, spouse, and health. Especially the opium smokers find that a visit to the temple in cures them of the opium habit.

The temple dates back to 150 years and the Deity is reported to be brought from China. The snakes are one of the kind found in nearby hills and for over a century have fascinated both the devotees and tourists.