Big send off for deities expected at Tua Pek Kong temple today
SIBU: The Tua Pek Kong Temple here is festooned with Chinese traditional red lanterns in preparation for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Temple chairman Penghulu Soon Choon Hoo said they would officially switch on these lanterns tonight.
“This is our tradition, to switch on the lanterns on the 24th day of the twelfth month - a day when we send the deities home to heaven for the festive celebration.
“Like us, the deities also return home for their reunion with the heavenly host,” Soon explained.
The temple chairman added that after their reunion, the deities would return on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year to resume their earthly duties.
Soon said it had been their temple’s tradition that after sending the deities home, they would start spring cleaning of the temple.
He said they would then put on new attire for the deities.
“By then, we shall all be ready for the biggest festival of the year – the Lunar New Year.”
Soon said thousands of worshippers are expected to send the deities off with food offerings, incense and other items today.
He said on Chinese New Year eve, the worshippers would return to offer thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year while renewing hope for the new year through prayers and offerings.
He said in the 15 days of the Chinese New Year, a few major events at the temple have been scheduled to take place.
“Apart from the worship on new year eve and on the first morning of the Chinese New Year, worshippers will also celebrate the birthday of Jade Emperor deity on the ninth day and Chap Goh Meh to wrap up the 15- day celebration.”
He said on the first day of the Chinese New Year, the temple would invite lion and dragon dance troupes to perform at their compound.
He said the temple committee would then give out 10,000 ang pows – a symbol of sharing prosperity and luck.