BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 7 – All of the Penang Chinese community was geared up for the Hungry Ghost festival which starts on Aug 22. The Bukit Mertajam Yu Lan Festival, a 100-year-old tradition, was happened at the Bukit Mertajam wet market at Jalan Pasar here.
Thousands gathered at the Pek Kong Cheng Temple in Jalan Pasar here today to send off the Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades). The devotees offered prayers to the 27.2 feet (829.056cm) tall effigy which was placed under a shelter beside the temple. At 9.50pm on Thursday, the effigy was moved to the middle of Jalan Pasar near the Jalan Danby intersection about 100m away.
Due to its huge size, it took committee and devotees more than two hours to set up the Tai Su Yeah. After arranging the effigy on an enormous pile of joss paper, other prayer paraphernalia and offerings, the devotees set it ablaze, ending the 15-day Bukit Mertajam Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) celebration. The effigy was fall at Northeast.
According to Chinese Taoist belief, the gates of hell open in the seventh lunar month, allowing the spirits to roam freely and enjoy a month-long “vacation” in the human world while being watched by Tai Su Yeah. The Hungry Ghost Festival this year started on Aug 22 and will end on Sept 19.
Makeshift sheds and altars are set up for devotees to offer prayers and make offerings to appease wandering souls. Stages have been set up in predominantly Chinese areas in the state so performances can be held to entertain the spirits. The first few rows benches and chairs are even reserved and arranged for the spirits to sit and enjoy such shows. — PN
