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, PenangHe 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~
