Hoo Ann Kiong Temple
| Hoo Ann Kiong Temple Vihara Sejahtera Sakti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Basic information | |
| Location |
Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Selat Panjang |
| Affiliation | Taoism |
| Province | Riau |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Chinese |
| Groundbreaking | 1868 |
Hoo Ann Kiong Temple (simplified Chinese: 护安宫; traditional Chinese: 護安宮; pinyin: Hù ān gōng, known as Vihara Sejahtera Sakti in Indonesian) is the oldest Chinese Taoism temple in Selat Panjang.[1] This temple is the oldest in Riau province and on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Selat Panjang, Riau.[2] It is one of the cultural heritage assets of the Meranti Islands Regency.
History
Hoo Ann Kiong Temple was built in the Dutch colonial period. It is not known with certainty when the founding year was. It is estimated that the temple was established in early 1868. Historians estimate this temple is more than 150 years old as seen from its relief architecture.
The initial establishment of this building was a simple hut built by overseas Chinese who settled in the city Selatpanjang the Dutch colonial period. The purpose of the establishment of this temple was to honor the god of the earth who is more widely known by the Chinese community as Tua Pek Kong (大伯公) or Fu De Zheng Zhen (福德正神).
Hoo Ann Kiong temple was rescontructed several times, namely in the years 1903, 1940, and in 1948. Recently restored, the temple is total except the front of the main gate in 2005 and completion in 2008.