NINE EMPEROR GODS FEATIVAL AT TAIPING 2023

      The Nine Emperor Gods celebration was held from the 15th October to 23rd October 2023. This coincides with the 1st to the 9th day of the Chinese lunar calendar.  At Taiping the celebration for this event is carried out at a few temples around town.  The festival is observed by the Taoists and is dedicated to the nine sons of Tou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star, who is believed to control the Books of Life and Death. The festival that I describe here is the one that was organised by the Kor Boo Beow Temple.  During the nine days of the festival, devotees went on a vegetarian diet and thus the temple is also known as the Tokong Sayur (Vegetarian Temple) to the non-Chinese in town.

 

 Stalls selling vegetarian food

Tortoise buns with smaller tortoises symbolise family with a lot of children

Related to a legend, a giant red turtle came to the rescue of the Nine Emperor Gods and ferried them to safety of Tow Boo Keong island.

 

On the 8th day (22 October), a procession was held to carry the Gods around and to bless the people of Taiping.  The procession was more than a kilometer long and participants were members from temples, associations, and various informal groups.  

 

People went under the God's sedan chair to get blessed.

 

The Green shirts

 

The Red shirts

 

The Blue shirts

 

This young lady saw me taking her picture, decided to acknowledge.  Thank you, girl.

 

The devotees from the Hindu temple of Goddess Durga 

Devotees from Sri Maha Mariamma temple, Kamunting 

 

Devotees from Wat Dewa Raja Banphot, Pondok Tanjung

 

ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL 7.00pm

Preparing the pit for fire-walking ceremony

 

Fireworks 

 Temple priests chanting prayers around the fire-walking pit

 

The fire-walking ceremony begins

 

It's the ladies turn

 

Painting the eyes of the horses which are going to transport the Gods home

The Gods were sent home, as the horses burn.

 

 Thick smoke rose from the flame and transported the Gods back to their heavenly abode. 

What a Wonderful Birthday Party!

It was a special morning in early July when I was invited to a birthday party by my friend, Wah Kuan.  She was the wife of the owner of the famous Ipoh Bakery in Taiping.  I thought that it would be just another birthday party, but I was wrong.  It turned out to the a totally different event that surprised all the guests.  First of all, it was not held inside any hall or room.  It was held in a garden!  A rare garden party!  The place was  a picturesque hillock beside the New Club, shaded by the huge banyan trees.   Next, was the food.  There were so many handcrafted cakes and goodies made by her son, specially for his mommy's birthday. There were muffins, sandwiches, cookies etc, each one being a piece of art.   Then, there were the buskers to provide the right live music for the occasion.  It was an event, not seen in this part of town, for a long, long time.  I can't even recall seeing a garden birthday party like this, taking place before.  Just take a look at some of the pictures.

 

This one was indeed a very wonderful birthday party.  It was classic.  And, many happy returns of the day, to you Wah Kuan, and the other birthday girls, too.

A Visit to the Sri Ayanar Temple

 I made a short visit to the Sri Ayanar Temple at Ulu Sepetang near Taiping, on one sunny morning.   Quite a lot of people do not know that this temple exist because it is located in a secluded place within an oil palm plantation.  Furthermore, Ulu Sepetang is not exactly a place where one would want to stop by and have a look around.  However, one would be most surprised to know that this temple complex has a large garden-like complex that is very well-kept and maintained.  It is here, where the largest statue of Ayanar, in Malaysia, is to be found.   If fact, it is said that the Ayanar statue here is the largest one in South East Asia.

There are two roads leading to the plantation where the temple is located.  One is on the right side of the road leading from Kamunting to Bukit Merah toll plaza.   Near a stream which is also the boundary of Larut, Matang & Selama district and Kerian district, look out for a signboard to the temple on your right if you are coming from Taiping.

The second road is located on the left hand side of the Kamunting - Batu Kurau main road, opposite the second entrance to Taman Kota Wira.   There is also a signboard at the junction.   Signboards along the way will guide you.  To be sure, the laterite road through the plantation could be a bit rough.    So be patient, because what you will behold at the end of the road will be worth all those bumps.

   

The front of Sri Ayanar Temple at Ulu Sepetang

This is the main temple and images of sages lined-up at the pillars 

The figures on the temple tell the story of how this temple was established 

A Garden dedicated to the late MGR

An ancient bell

As this visit was made on a weekday, there was no crowd.  It has been said that during weekends and public holidays, there could be crowd coming in by bus loads.  Visitors should do what is proper at temples.  Follow the instructions on the signboards - remove shoes before entering the temple.  No taking of photographs or video recording inside the temple.   It is definitely a great place to visit for it gives one a feeling of tranquility and a true sense of holiness.    

More detailed information is available on Youtube, search "Sri Ayyanar Temple, Ulu Sepetang, Taiping"