Chinese New Year Celebration for the Physically Handicapped

The Association for the Physically Handicapped, Taiping held a small scale celebration for the members on 19th Feb. 2012.  The event took place at its official premises - 122 Thomson Road, Taiping.  Volunteers and well-wishers gathered early to welcome the children and inmates.

The official premises of the Association for the Physically Handicapped, Taiping

Volunteers helping a member to get down from the van onto a wheelchair. 

Leader of the district committee, Dr Micheal Wong, gave a welcome speech.  

Children from the centre posing for a picture.

Children from the centre enjoyed tossing the "yee sang" together.

Dr Micheal Wong handing out 'ang-pow' to the members and children.

Mr Francis helping to distribute oranges around the hall.

Food is served.

At the end of the day, everyone had a good time together.

Seen Hock Yeen temple in Chemor

Somewhere just outside the town of Chemor in Perak, is this temple - Seen Hock Yeen temple, a very beautiful place that must be visited if one is in the vicinity of Chemor.  Just ask the locals and they will tell you the way to get there.  The temple ground covers a vast area which includes a lake at the centre, surrounded by several temples and related structures.  

When passing through Chemor town, look out for the traffic lights after the shell petrol station and take the road that leads to Tanjung Rambutan on the left.  Not far from the junction is an overhead railway bridge, not far from the bridge, turn left at the first junction and go straight, the temple is on your right. 

When you turn left after the railway overhead bridge, you will see this sign board to the temple. 

This is the wall with the name and the address of the temple. 

A large brass bell stands at the entrance to the temple.  People who donate money for oil for the lamps at the temple get to sound the bell.  

The doorway to the main altar of the temple.

The  main altar faces the lake.  Large joss sticks are burnt as devotees offer prayers. 

The next pavilion houses another deity, as devotees are taken on a guided tour by a temple committee member.  

On the courtyard are statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Another pavilion for another deity, again the official guide will explain to the devotees on information about the deity. 

Then, it's time to cross the bridge to the other side of the lake.  Notice that one is not allowed to cross the bridge without permission.  In other words, only those guided by the temple officials are allowed to do so. When crossing the bridge, everyone should remain silent and should look to the left.

This is the view from the other side of the lake, after crossing the bridge. 

An artificial waterfall greets the visitors on this side of the lake, and devotees make a wish by throwing coins at the head of the fountain. 

Finally, the devotees were taken one round of the lake and back to the main pavilion and refreshment is served.