Southern Island in Singapore
Kusu Island
is one of the
Southern Islands
in
Singapore
, located about 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) to the south of the
main island of Singapore
and below the
Singapore Straits
. "Kusu" means "
Tortoise
Island" or "
Turtle
Island" in
Hokkien
; the island is also known as
Peak Island
or
Pulau Tembakul
in
Malay
.
During the lunar ninth month of every year, the Kusu Island pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees who visit and worship at the Da Bo Gong (Tua Pek Kong) Temple. Besides the Chinese temple, the island is also home to three Malay shrines (Keramat).
From two outcrops on a
reef
, the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).
Mythology
[
edit
]
The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and the other a Chinese.
Facilities
[
edit
]
At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stood three
keramats
(or sacred shrines of Malay holy figures) to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and his sister (Puteri Fatimah), all of whom once lived in the 19th century. Many devotees climbed the 152 steps leading up to the keramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines were also popular with childless couples who would pray for children. On April 17, 2022, the keramats were badly damaged in a fire.
[2]
Also located on Kusu island is the popular
Chinese temple
dedicated to both Da Bo G?ng (大伯公), or
Tua Pek Kong
(Grand Uncle), also known as
Fu De Zheng Shen
(福德正神) and
Na D? G?ng
(Dato Keramat or "拿督公"). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main
Chinese Deities
, Da Bo Gong and
Gu?n Y?n
("?音", or Goddess of Mercy). The former is highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger, while Guan Yin is known as the "Bestower of Sons".
It is popular for its
lagoons
, pristine beaches and general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearby
Marina South Pier
(formerly from
Clifford Pier
) to see the famous
wishing well
and the Tortoise Sanctuary. A stand-alone open-air hawker centre is located in the middle of the island but it is only open and running during certain periods of the year, such as during festivals or pilgrimages to the keramats or the temple. No overnight stays are permitted on the island.
References
[
edit
]
News articles
[
edit
]
External links
[
edit
]
|
---|
Natural
| |
---|
Artificial
| |
---|
Former
| |
---|