Prepping for vegetarian fest

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Finishing touches: Macallum Street Tow Boo Kong Temple committee members working on their float for the procession.

THE various Nine Emperor Gods temples in Penang are all geared up for the annual nine-day festival which starts tomorrow, and they will be ushering in the gods at nearby rivers or the sea tonight.

A check at several temples showed that their committees have arranged for various activities throughout the nine days, including float processions carrying the Nine Emperor Gods and Tou Mu.

Macallum Street Tow Boo Kong Temple advisor Ong Hock Chuan said the temple began its preparations for the festival about two weeks ago.

“We started working on the float last week to make sure that there will be smooth progression du-ring our procession, when the devotees send off the gods back to sea.

“We are expecting about 10,000 ardent devotees to turn up for the event on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month on Oct 5,” he said.

Jalan Raja Uda Tow Boo Kong Temple committee members Ong Hoing Yun and Ooi Kok Ean checking on the giant incense sticks at the temple.

Burmah Road Tao Bo Kong Temple committee member Lim Eng Hoe said this time round, the temple was organising ceremonial prayers on the second, fifth and eighth days of the ninth lunar month.

“Taoist monks will lead devotees in the prayers to seek blessings from the nine gods,” he said.

Chairman of the Tow Boo Kong Temple in Raja Uda, Butterworth, Khor Wan Tat said they were expecting a large crowd of more than 10,000 devotees for their float procession which would be held on the fifth day of the Chinese lunar month, on Oct 1.

“Though this is an annual event at our temple, we have been preparing for the festival since two months ago.

“Therefore, devotees can expect more than 10 floats carrying the statues of Nine Emperor Gods and Tou Mu,” he said.

The Nine Emperor Gods are believed to be the nine sons of Tou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star.

During the Taoist festival, devotees will observe a strict vegetarian diet for some or all of the nine days.

Many will begin observing the vegetarian diet from today to cleanse and purify their bodies.