Kian Un Keng Shrine


Kian Un Keng Shrine or spelled Kuan An Keng Shrine, known internationally as Guanyin Shrine, is an ancient Chinese joss house in Bangkok, located on the western bank of Chao Phraya River, Wat Kanlaya Subdistrict, Thon Buri District, Thonburi side in the area of Kudi Chin community close to other places of worship including Wat Prayurawongsawat, Wat Kalayanamitr and Santa Cruz Church with Bang Luang Mosque.
This shrine is a Hokkienese joss house. It's one of the oldest shrines in Thonburi and Thailand by King Taksin and brought the Goddess Guanyin statue to be enshrined here. The Guanyin Bodhisattva is different from other shrines because mostly the Guanyin in other shrines are in standing position, but here the Guanyin is in sitting position. The Guanyin statue is made of wood carved and coated with gold. There are also murals and paintings of the classical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms, including dolls decorated on the wall decorations for visiting and worshipping.
Its name is assumed to be the origin of the name Kudi Chin, which means "Chinese monk's dwelling".
Originally, the shrine was divided into two shrines, Guan Yu and Qingshui shrines. Later, both were in disrepair during the reign of King Taksin. During the reign of King Rama III, the Hokkienese therefore demolished both shrines and rebuilt with Chinese courtyard architecture along with brought the Guanyin statue enshrined instead since then. Its name meaning "building that create peace and tranquility for the Hokkienese".
It is currently under the care of Simasatian and Tantiwetchakun families, which are their offspring.
The shrine received the ASA Architectural Conservation Award in 2008.
Moreover, during the annually Vegetarian Festival this shrine will have a special event unlike other shrines. That is a ceremony similar to Loi Krathong in order change one's bad fortune for the people who make merit here. Including a boat trip to visit another shrine on opposite side of the river, Chó-su-kong Shrine in Talat Noi, Chinatown.

See more