Che Kung was a warrior General during the Song Dynasty in Hong Kong. A much loved and trusted General in the army, Che Kung was instrumental in bringing to an end many an uprising and discontentment and was responsible for maintaining peace in the land. During a particular uprising, he enabled the then Song Dynasty Emperor (the last in this Dynasty) to escape to the Sai Kung area. This mighty Commander also had the unexplainable ability to suppress plagues and diseases that spread across the land. Legend has it that if a certain town was afflicted and Che Kung set foot into the town, the plague stopped. For these reasons he came to be venerated as a god.
300 odd years ago, Sha Tin in Hong Kong was afflicted with a plague and in desperation the people of the town built a temple in honour of this General. It is said that the plague began to subside the day construction of the temple ended.
Today, what is Che Kung Temple is not the original one built. In its place in 1993 was built a larger more modern temple that was capable of accommodating the large numbers of devotees and followers who visited the site, especially during the Che Kung Festivals. There are four such festivals held throughout the year, the most popular one being the one held on the second day of the first month of the lunar calendar which is the second day of the Chinese New Year.
Those who turn the wheel of fortune contained in the main assembly hall three times are thought to bring blessings and prosperity on themselves. There is also a large bell and gong together with a giant statue of Che Kung in the main assembly hall.
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