Nandaka Vihara

Nandaka Vihara is a Theravada Buddhist vihara (monastery) located at the foothills of Bukit Mertajam Hill in Cherok Tokun, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. Very much unknown even to the locals, it is established primarily for practice of mediation. The monastery features a dana hall, meditation hall, monk's residence, gazebo for meditation and a liberation pond. You could see the monstrous Bukit Mertajam hill looming over the monastery a washed by durian orchards. 

The Buddhist monastery can be reached through Jalan Kolam, which is a road that leads to Hutan Lipur Bukit Mertajam (Bukit Mertajam Forest Reserve). Just before you reach the forest reserve, there is a small, narrow road that branches to the right next to a Chinese temple. 

The moment you reach Nandaka Vihara, you would be greeted by durian trees which surround the monastery. Beside the car park there is a small shrine and a dana hall which is in the main building of the monastery. 

Next opposite the main building there are several meditation pavilions dotting along a small path which also leads to a small bridge over a liberation pond. The open air pavilion augurs well with the local tropical climate, the work of nature high above in the hills provide cooling, hence there is no need for any air conditioning. 

Also beside the main building there is a pathway which leads uphill to other meditation pavilions. The pathway begins at a gateway with a landscaped garden. There is a bodhi tree on the left side of the gateway. 

The meditation pavilions on the hill slope are accessible through a ramp by motorcycle and staircases. On the way up the hill, you can see a panoramic view of Cherok Tokun and Bukit Mertajam Hill, as you can see in the photos below. The pathway ends at Ehipassika Sima Hall, which is a large meditation hall. 

Just as you would think it's a paradise rainforest resort, wait until you start living here. In actual fact, people come here to seek hardship. This reflects the harsh reality of life and suffering as part of the First Noble Truth. 

An ideal place for people who want to seek compassion and wisdom.