Seeking Serenity? Here are 5 Tranquil Temples in Johor to Rediscover Your Spiritual Centre
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
Amidst the quirky theme cafes and nature parks, Johor is also home to some unique Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Whether you’re looking to learn about its spiritual heritage, take some beautiful photos, or seek blessings; these soul sanctuaries are a must-visit on your next trip to Johor.
1. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
Photo source: Go Johor
Originally built in 1922, Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Johor Bahru. For decades, the temple was a simple hut on land granted by the Sultan of Johor.
In 2008, Guru Bhagawan Sittar, the temple’s chairman and chief priest started an ambitious renovation plan. Inspired by glass artwork at a temple entrance in Bangkok that caught his eye from a distance, he believed that a temple fully embellished with glass artwork would attract devotees and visitors from around the world.
And he really stood by this belief!
Visitors have reported being dazzled by the crystals, gold, and mosaic housed within the temple. The mosaic alone is made up of 300,000 pieces of coloured glass! While exploring, pay close attention to the walls of the temple. While they may appear to be textured, these “textures” are actually 300,000 Rudraksha prayer beads - each embedded into the wall with a chanted prayer.
The temple also houses many sculptures and murals that are both religious and promoting a message of harmony. You’ll find statues of other religious figures like Buddha, Jesus, and Guru Nanak alongside murals depicting the various races in Malaysia working in unity.
Location: Johor Bahru
Opening Hours:
- 7am - 12pm; 7pm - 10pm (Daily)
2. Putuo Village Bodhi Sanctuary
Photo source: Putuo Village
If you’re looking for both spiritual and physical serenity, then look no further than Putuo Village!
Putuo Village is a 43-acre haven located in the outskirts of Kulai that’s built to preserve and appreciate Buddhist culture. It’s both named after and inspired by Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, China - believed to be a seat of enlightenment for the Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy).
According to legend, a Japanese monk was transporting a Guanyin statue back to his homeland when an iron lotus flower appeared around his ship. He believed this was a sign that the Guanyin didn’t want to travel any further, so he left the statue at the nearby Mount Putuo. A family that witnessed this turned their house into the original Bukenqu Guanyin Temple, which still exists on the mountain today.
Walking into Putuo Village though, you’d think you’d accidentally stepped into an alternate dimension… part ancient China, part epic wuxia drama series!
The estate is divided into two sectors:
- The Bodhi Sanctuary, which houses the temple and the largest Zhunti Bodhisatta (18-armed manifestation of Guanyin) in Southeast Asia; and
- The Purple Bamboo Valley, a serene bamboo forest with a cafe and many Instagrammable spots.
The two sectors make Putuo Village an ideal stop for tourists and the devout. Other than prayers, the Bodhi Sanctuary also has various spiritual activities such as a wishing tree, prayer wheels, and the 3 Steps 1 Bow Lotus Trail.
If you’d rather skip the spiritual side of things, you can walk the rainbow trail, photograph the inflatable pandas, and indulge in delicious meals, drinks, and desserts served in bamboo at the picturesque Purple Bamboo Valley.
Location: Kulai
Opening Hours:
- 9am - 6pm (Daily)
3. Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam
Photo Source: Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam
At the turn of the 1900’s, Indian workers started building communities around Mount Austin and Pasir Pelangi - many of them working for Sultan Ibrahim. In 1911, community leader Kootha Perumal Vandayar asked the Sultan for permission to build a temple. The Sultan not only agreed, but also donated land and $500 for the construction.
The temple was originally called Mariamman, but was later changed to Rajamariamman to commemorate Sultan Ibrahim’s contribution.
The temple is known for its 75-foot (23m) rajagopuram (the entrance tower at the main gateway) is the tallest in Johor. The rajagopuram houses 125 figurines, 25 mural paintings, and 5 gold-plated kalasams (sacred pots); made according to Hindu practices.
Location: Johor Bahru
Opening Hours:
- 6pm - 9pm (Daily)
4. Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
_-_img_16.jpg "Photo Source: Chainwit via Wikimedia Commons")
Photo Source: Chainwit via Wikimedia Commons
Also known as the Old Temple or Johor Ancient Temple, this temple is - as the name suggests - one of the oldest temples in Johor. Not just that, it’s also one of the oldest surviving buildings in Johor Bahru!
Located right smack in the heart of the city (and just 10 minutes away from Berjaya Waterfront), the temple is framed by the looming skyscrapers. A piece of history untouched by modern development.
Built between 1870 - 1880, the temple was built at the encouragement of Sultan Abu Bakar, who also provided the land. Upon construction, the temple quickly became a place of worship among the 7 dominant Chinese dialect groups in Johor; like the Hokkiens, Teochews, Hakka, and Hainanese.
In fact, that unique trait is still evident today, because the temple houses 5 deities which are separately worshipped by the different dialect groups. Over the years, the Old Temple has become a symbol of unity among these groups.
The temple is also known for its annual Parade of Deities (Chingay), a 4-day celebration which takes place within the first lunar month. The parade attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers who march through the streets of Johor Bahru with religious banners and effigies of the deities in tow.
Location: Johor Bahru
Opening Hours:
- 7:30am - 5:30pm (Daily)
5. Che Ann Khor / Yong Peng Che Ann Khor Moral Lifting Society
Photo Source: Chongkian via Wikimedia Commons
Opened in 2016, Che Ann Khor is the newest place of worship on this list. However, it also has the most unique way of entering - through the mouth of a dragon.
From afar, you’d think you were at a dragon theme park instead of a temple. Dwarfing the buildings of the compound is a giant dragon, 107 meters in length and 8.2 meters above ground level at the highest point. In fact, it’s the longest Fortune Dragon in the world!
The reason why it’s called a Fortune Dragon is because there’s a belief that you can change bad luck into good by entering a dragon through its head and exiting at the tail. And, yes, you can walk through it! Inside the dragon’s “body” is an air-conditioned walkway with 42 paintings depicting Buddhist teachings and depictions of Diyu (The traditional Chinese version of purgatory). While there are windows to prevent claustrophobia, bear in mind that some of the paintings depicting Diyu may be intense or unsettling for some.
The temple itself is situated in a Chinese-style garden decorated with figures of deities, characters from folklore, and animals from the Chinese zodiac.
Location: Yong Peng
Opening Hours
- 9am - 7pm (Daily)
With Berjaya Waterfront, your journey to Batam always comes with peace of mind
Photo source: Channel News Asia
Extend your search for peace and tranquility with a trip to Batam! With the air-conditioned ferries from Berjaya Waterfront Ferry Terminal, getting there has never been easier.
Situated right in Johor Bahru, Berjaya Waterfront is the middle path that balances out any travel stress you might have. More than just a ferry terminal, Berjaya Waterfront is a 4.5 storey mall with:
- An integrated hotel for seamless accommodation,
- Food options for last-minute hunger pangs,
- Duty-free and regular shops for necessities; and
- An entertainment centre to keep yourself entertained.
Not just that, a regular daily schedule of ferries that depart almost every hour ensures that you can plan your travel in advance. In fact, once the ETS train to Johor is complete at the end of 2025, you might not even need to drive there anymore!