The three-day Hungry Ghosts Festival ceremony or Yee Lan Seng Hui held at the market area in SEA Park, Petaling Jaya from August 26 – 28, 2008 attracted hundreds of people who came to pray at the altars or offer donations.
The five paper horse effigies symbolise earth, water, wind, fire and metal which sustain life.
Decorative items on the altar.
A paper effigy representing Taai Si Wong (in background) sits on a temporary altar. Taai Si Wong who reports to the King of Hell, has a notebook and acts as the festival's policeman to ensure the ghosts are behaving and everything at the festival has been completed properly. The effigy of Taai Si Wong is burnt with joss paper to send him back to hell when the Hungry Ghost Festival is over.
A sacrifical goat is among the food offerings to appease the hungry ghosts.
Worshippers come to pray with fresh incense stick. They pray to the ghosts for peace, harmony and happy living and hope that the hungry ghosts will not disturb them and their family members in the future.
A makeshift stage providing entertainment for ghosts, Gods and human beings to enjoy.
The eight chairs placed directly in front of the stage are meant for the raoming spirits who migth be interested to watch the performers. No living humans are allowed to sit there. Only ghostly guests!
SEA Park RA officials in blue jackets guarding the packets of rice and other food items to prevent pilfering.
Hundres of people queueing up to get 'good luck' roasted meat. SEA Park RA officials (in blue jacket) are present to prevent any stampedes and ensure orderly distribution.
SEA Park RA officials on traffic control duty to prevent any traffic jam.
SEA Park Poh Toh Association chairman Gan Keng (yellow T-shirt) posing with SEA Park RA officials.
I came on the third day to offer prayer for good luck. There were already a big crowd and from time to time, Taoist priests came in to chant prayers to appease the hungry ghosts. Solemnly I requested permission from Taai Si Wong or Phor Thor Kong (the festival policeman) to take photos.
Officials of SEA Park Residents Association with their smart blue jackets emblazoned with the Association logo in front and the word ‘RA’ at back were present in full force for volunteer duty. They provided assistance in the form of safety, security and traffic control.
Syabas to SEA Park RA for the good work!
Note:
Hungry Ghost festival is solely for praying and appeasing the souls of the dead. It is an annual event in which people make offerings to receive blessings of health and good luck throughout the year. The business community believes that those who are honest in their business dealings, life are smoother and business can be better despite an economic downturn.
Officials of SEA Park Residents Association with their smart blue jackets emblazoned with the Association logo in front and the word ‘RA’ at back were present in full force for volunteer duty. They provided assistance in the form of safety, security and traffic control.
Syabas to SEA Park RA for the good work!
Note:
Hungry Ghost festival is solely for praying and appeasing the souls of the dead. It is an annual event in which people make offerings to receive blessings of health and good luck throughout the year. The business community believes that those who are honest in their business dealings, life are smoother and business can be better despite an economic downturn.
The ceremony includes offering of food, burning of paper money and entertainment for ancestors and wandering souls who have no descendants to appease them. The event is also a demonstration of filial piety and compassion towards those in the nether world.
The five paper horse effigies symbolise earth, water, wind, fire and metal which sustain life.
Decorative items on the altar.
A paper effigy representing Taai Si Wong (in background) sits on a temporary altar. Taai Si Wong who reports to the King of Hell, has a notebook and acts as the festival's policeman to ensure the ghosts are behaving and everything at the festival has been completed properly. The effigy of Taai Si Wong is burnt with joss paper to send him back to hell when the Hungry Ghost Festival is over.
A sacrifical goat is among the food offerings to appease the hungry ghosts.
Worshippers come to pray with fresh incense stick. They pray to the ghosts for peace, harmony and happy living and hope that the hungry ghosts will not disturb them and their family members in the future.
A makeshift stage providing entertainment for ghosts, Gods and human beings to enjoy.
The eight chairs placed directly in front of the stage are meant for the raoming spirits who migth be interested to watch the performers. No living humans are allowed to sit there. Only ghostly guests!
SEA Park RA officials in blue jackets guarding the packets of rice and other food items to prevent pilfering.
Hundres of people queueing up to get 'good luck' roasted meat. SEA Park RA officials (in blue jacket) are present to prevent any stampedes and ensure orderly distribution.
SEA Park RA officials on traffic control duty to prevent any traffic jam.
SEA Park Poh Toh Association chairman Gan Keng (yellow T-shirt) posing with SEA Park RA officials.
No comments:
Post a Comment