Light’s on tonight at Kek Lok Si
THE 121-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, will be turned into a fairyland of lights as final preparation to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year gathers pace.
Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said this year’s annual Chinese New Year lighting ceremony will be held this evening and it will be a sight to behold with vibrant red lanterns to usher in the Year of the Dragon.
“The temple will be holding a lighting ceremony this evening, four days before the Chinese New Year celebrations on Jan 23 and 24.
“However, only the lanterns at the Pagoda will be lit up and the temple would not be open to public yet.
“Starting from the eve of Chinese New Year until the third day of Chinese New Year, the lanterns at both the Pagoda and at the pavilion will be lit up until the next morning.’’
A canopy of lights: Red and yellow lanterns are among the many decorations at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang
He said the public can visit the temple during the night on the first day of Chinese New Year to capture the beautiful decorations at the temple. The temple will be open from 8.30am to midnight from the first day to the annual Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s birthday) celebration on Jan 31.
“After Jan 31, the Kek Lok Si Temple will be open from 8.30am to 10pm until Feb 19,” he said.
“We expect more visitors this year as the number of tourists visiting the temple has increased.
“A total of four dragons are also being assembled at the temple in conjunction with the Year of the Dragon,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Two of them, each measuring at a jumbo size of about 36.5m (120ft) in length, will flank both sides of the temple’s famous pagoda.
The other two smaller dragon guards standing about 4.5m (15ft) each, will take up their place near the 30.2m bronze Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue.
Devotees who wish to donate or seek blessings from the temple can do so via donation from RM50 to RM2,000. Devotees and well-wishers can visit the temple to register. For details, call 04-8283317.
~News courtesy of The Star~
All set for Chingay battle Crowd can expect to see exciting stunts and moves
A filepic of a Chingay group perofrming daring moves outside a building in Georgetown
GET ready for some of the death-defying Chingay moves at the ‘National Chingay Championship 2011, which begins today at Esplanade from 7pm to 11pm.
Penang Tourism Development and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the five teams included one from Kedah.
They would showcase their exceptional skills in balancing a giant flag pole, he added.
“Each team consists of about 50 members and they are required to showcase their talents in the most creative way.
“The winners will walk away with RM5,000,” he told a press conference yesterday.
The annual Chingay, lion and dragon dance parade will be held tomorrow at the same time.
The event will see 35 local or- ganisations displaying their unique traditional and cultural skills.
The parade is considered one of the top tourism draws in Penang.
“For the first time this year, the parade is expected to present a more colourful spectacle as there are two dragon dance troupes decorated with light-emitting diodes lights,” he added.
The parade will start at Padang Brown from 7pm and passes through Datuk Keramat Road, Penang Road, Burmah Road, Transfer Road, Sri Bahari Road, Chulia Street, Light Street and ends at Esplanade.
The parade is organised by the state government and supported by Penang Wushu Lion Dance and Penang Chingay Association.
For more information about both events, call 016-4110000.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Upgrade for Chew Jetty
Hard at work: Workers doing their job at the Chew Jetty in Weld Quay.
PHASE One of the Chew Jetty upgrade project at Weld Quay, Penang, will be completed at the end of the month.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee said the project costing almost RM160,000 was to replace the planks and foundation of the jetty’s walkway.
“Chew Jetty being the largest clan jetty will undergo further upgrading work soon, and the state is in the process of engaging a contractor,” he told reporters at the jetty.
He added that upgrading works at New Jetty, Lee Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and the Phase Two of Chew Jetty were expected to complete before the Chinese New Year in January.
“It will cost an estimated RM150,000 to upgrade each of the jetties which have become a tourist attraction.”
Clan Jetty Village Development and Security Committee chairman Chew Chong Chin said the residents were happy with the upgrading work as the cengal batu used is known for its sturdiness, adding that about 300 people visited the jetty each day.
State Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Chew Jetty has become a ‘must visit’ destination for tourist as it is the largest clan jetty among the six clan jetties in Weld Quay.
He added that the upgrading of the clan jetties would eventually cost RM1mil.
Lau also said that he would be meeting Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) representatives to discuss whether it would be possible to have a proper sewage system for the six clan jetties.
Also present was northeast district office assistant officer Rusfaizal Radzi.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Selamat hari raya to all our Muslim friends
Cheaper group tickets for Penang Hill visitors
VISITORS who come to Penang Hill in large groups will now be able to purchase funicular train tickets at a cheaper price.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said groups of a minimum of 10 visitors in the same price category would receive a 20% discount.
“The Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) board has just approved this decision and it is effective immediately,” Lim told at a press conference at his office in Komtar.
PHC general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the move was to encourage tour agents to bring tourists to Penang Hill.
“A separate ticket counter will be opened for groups (at the bottom station) and tickets bought are only valid on the day of purchase,” he said.
Lee added that the operating hours for the funicular train would be extended during the Hari Raya period to give visitors a longer time to enjoy the scenery.
Trains will run two hours longer from 6.30am to 11pm from the first day of Hari Raya until Sept 4.
For more information, call visit www.penanghill.gov.my or call PHC at 04-8288880.
~News courtesy of The Star~
