Kek Lok Si Temple
THE 119-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang has become a night attraction during this Chinese New Year festive season with visitors thronging its grounds to snap photos of themselves amidst a backdrop of over 10,000 lanterns and 230,000 decorative bulbs that adorn the temple complex.
Photographic Society of Penang adviser Song Jin Teik, 72, said the temple had always been a haven for enthusiastic shutterbugs during this time of the year as it was only then that it would be so beautifully lit up.
“My friends from other states and countries always ask me to bring them to our ‘secret spot’ to capture the best view of the colourful pagodas and ornate rooftops in dazzling multi-coloured lights,” he said.
Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said the crowd visiting the temple complex had doubled this year compared to the Chinese New Year season last year.
“Many of them came with the purpose of enjoying the night view, especially following the completion of the 20-storey pavilion housing the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue,” he said when contacted recently.
Among the visitors were couple Janet Tan and Bryan Moh, both 25, who would make it an annual affair to visit the temple during the Chinese New Year season.
“It is always a must-do thing during Chinese New Year to come here and snap some beautiful photos.
“This year is definitely more worthwhile since we also get to take photos with the pavilion,” said graphic artist Moh.
The temple had recently earned three entries in the Malaysia Book of Records — the tallest pavilion at 89.23m, the tallest bronze Goddess of Mercy statue at 33.67m, and the tallest granite pillars at 42.24m.
Night visits are allowed only during the first 28 days of the new lunar year which started on Feb 14.
From now till March 13, the festive lights will be switched on from 7pm to 10pm.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Grand Chap Goh Meh do
Grand Chap Goh Meh do
CHAP Goh Meh, the 15th day of the first lunar month, will be celebrated on a grand scale in Penang with an event called ‘My Penang CNY Reunion’ at the Esplanade on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors will be entertained by concerts and lion dances. A fireworks display, food bazaar and night bazaar will be held as well as the throwing of mandarin oranges, There will be lucky prize give-aways every 30 minutes.
It will be held from 5pm onwards on both days and entrance is at RM28 per person inclusive of passes to the concerts and outdoor party, prize giveaway voucher and a free drink.
The performers include Taiwanese celebrities like the rock duo Y2J, Cindy Wu and Genie a.k.a. Wendy Guo.
Penang Tourism Development, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the throwing of mandarin oranges or tim kam was a long-time tradition of Penang.
He said the celebration was aimed at positioning Penang in the hearts and minds of the public.
My FM DJs and local celebrities like Danell Lee, Thomas & Jack, Astro Star Quest’s Alvin, Juztin Lan Kah Fai and Ah Yoke as well as Astro Battleground Dancers ‘Katoon Network’ are scheduled to perform on Feb 27.
On Feb 28, the action includes a Schooldays Reunion Outdoor Party by Red FM where music of the 80s and 90s will bring back schoolday memories. There will also be fireworks, a lion dance and a surprise performance that night.
My Penang CNY Reunion is organised by the state tourism development office, radio station My FM and Go International Group.
Tickets are available from 11am to 4pm at the Ko-Ai bak hu stall on Lorong Selamat; 12pm to 6pm at G Hotel, A2 Gallery in Bangkok Lane, Guang Ming Daily office on Macalister Road and Queensbay Mall tourism booth; 8pm to 11pm at Crepe Cottage at Gurney Drive and 8pm to 2am at selected outlets at Upper Penang Road.
For details, email mypenangreunion@gmail.com or call 012-3853638.
-News courtesy of The Star-
CHAP Goh Meh, the 15th day of the first lunar month, will be celebrated on a grand scale in Penang with an event called ‘My Penang CNY Reunion’ at the Esplanade on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors will be entertained by concerts and lion dances. A fireworks display, food bazaar and night bazaar will be held as well as the throwing of mandarin oranges, There will be lucky prize give-aways every 30 minutes.
It will be held from 5pm onwards on both days and entrance is at RM28 per person inclusive of passes to the concerts and outdoor party, prize giveaway voucher and a free drink.
The performers include Taiwanese celebrities like the rock duo Y2J, Cindy Wu and Genie a.k.a. Wendy Guo.
Penang Tourism Development, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the throwing of mandarin oranges or tim kam was a long-time tradition of Penang.
He said the celebration was aimed at positioning Penang in the hearts and minds of the public.
My FM DJs and local celebrities like Danell Lee, Thomas & Jack, Astro Star Quest’s Alvin, Juztin Lan Kah Fai and Ah Yoke as well as Astro Battleground Dancers ‘Katoon Network’ are scheduled to perform on Feb 27.
On Feb 28, the action includes a Schooldays Reunion Outdoor Party by Red FM where music of the 80s and 90s will bring back schoolday memories. There will also be fireworks, a lion dance and a surprise performance that night.
My Penang CNY Reunion is organised by the state tourism development office, radio station My FM and Go International Group.
Tickets are available from 11am to 4pm at the Ko-Ai bak hu stall on Lorong Selamat; 12pm to 6pm at G Hotel, A2 Gallery in Bangkok Lane, Guang Ming Daily office on Macalister Road and Queensbay Mall tourism booth; 8pm to 11pm at Crepe Cottage at Gurney Drive and 8pm to 2am at selected outlets at Upper Penang Road.
For details, email mypenangreunion@gmail.com or call 012-3853638.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Happy Chinese New Year 2010
恭祝各界，新年快乐，万事如意！Wishing everyone a prosperous and happy Chinese New Year!
CNY open house at Komtar Walk
CNY open house at Komtar Walk
PENANG Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s Chinese New Year open house will be held for the very first time at the trendy Komtar Walk which opened mid-last year on Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong.
His political secretary Ng Wei Aik said that everyone, regardless of race, was invited to the event from 10am to 1pm on the first day of Chinese New Year tomorrow.
He said Lim chose Komtar Walk as the venue for the celebration because Komtar housed the state administration and the public would be able to see for themselves the efforts made by the state government to revive Komtar as an important landmark for Penang.
“The guests-of-honour will be Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff. State executive councillors, state assemblymen, MPs, local authority councillors, and heads of government departments and agencies are all expected to attend,” he said in a press statement.
-News courtesy of The Star-
PENANG Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s Chinese New Year open house will be held for the very first time at the trendy Komtar Walk which opened mid-last year on Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong.
His political secretary Ng Wei Aik said that everyone, regardless of race, was invited to the event from 10am to 1pm on the first day of Chinese New Year tomorrow.
He said Lim chose Komtar Walk as the venue for the celebration because Komtar housed the state administration and the public would be able to see for themselves the efforts made by the state government to revive Komtar as an important landmark for Penang.
“The guests-of-honour will be Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff. State executive councillors, state assemblymen, MPs, local authority councillors, and heads of government departments and agencies are all expected to attend,” he said in a press statement.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Friday, 5 February 2010
Aglow with CNY spirit
Aglow with CNY spirit
THE main tourist spots in George Town, Penang, have been transformed into a fairytale land with LED lights and decorations put up at various streets to usher in Chinese New Year.
More than 500 strings of LED lights adorn 30 trees along the Light Street while an additional 100 strings of LED lights will be used to decorate Gurney Drive, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling (Street of Harmony) and the Chew Jetty.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law said the God of Prosperity figurine and love cupids would also be part of the street decorations along walkways of Light Street and Esplanade.
“This year is special as Valentine’s Day falls on the first day of Chinese New Year. We have decorated the streets for couples and family members to experience and enjoy both Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day in Penang,” he said during the lighting up of Light Street in George Town on Wednesday.
Law said the LED lights were similar to that of Hong Kong and Singapore’s Christmas lights.
“People usually go to Singapore and Hong Kong to celebrate Christmas and we hope Penang will become a destination for tourists to come and celebrate the Year of Tiger.
“It will be a unique experience to celebrate Chinese New Year in Penang particularly after George Town was accorded the Unesco World Heritage Site status.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE main tourist spots in George Town, Penang, have been transformed into a fairytale land with LED lights and decorations put up at various streets to usher in Chinese New Year.
More than 500 strings of LED lights adorn 30 trees along the Light Street while an additional 100 strings of LED lights will be used to decorate Gurney Drive, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling (Street of Harmony) and the Chew Jetty.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law said the God of Prosperity figurine and love cupids would also be part of the street decorations along walkways of Light Street and Esplanade.
“This year is special as Valentine’s Day falls on the first day of Chinese New Year. We have decorated the streets for couples and family members to experience and enjoy both Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day in Penang,” he said during the lighting up of Light Street in George Town on Wednesday.
Law said the LED lights were similar to that of Hong Kong and Singapore’s Christmas lights.
“People usually go to Singapore and Hong Kong to celebrate Christmas and we hope Penang will become a destination for tourists to come and celebrate the Year of Tiger.
“It will be a unique experience to celebrate Chinese New Year in Penang particularly after George Town was accorded the Unesco World Heritage Site status.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Buddhist relics on world tour
Buddhist relics on world tour
A PRECIOUS collection of sacred Buddhist relics by renowned Buddhist master, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is currently touring the world and will be in Malaysia in March.
The Maitreya Relics Tour will provide a rare opportunity for Malaysians of the Buddhist faith to view these relics which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. The relics resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals.
Buddhists believe that the relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom.
Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre (CGC) at 37-Y, Lorong Zoo 1, Air Itam in Penang will host the tour on March 12, 13 and 14 while Losang Dragpa Centre (LDC) at No 1, Jalan 17/21F Petaling Jaya in Selangor will host it on March 19, 20 and 21. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony at CGC is from 5pm to 7pm on March 12. After that, it is open from 10am to 7pm on March 13 and 14.
For further information, call the tour’s organising chairman Anthony Chew (012-5379389) or Dr Daniel Yeoh (012-3810622).
-News courtesy of The Star-
A PRECIOUS collection of sacred Buddhist relics by renowned Buddhist master, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is currently touring the world and will be in Malaysia in March.
The Maitreya Relics Tour will provide a rare opportunity for Malaysians of the Buddhist faith to view these relics which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. The relics resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals.
Buddhists believe that the relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom.
Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre (CGC) at 37-Y, Lorong Zoo 1, Air Itam in Penang will host the tour on March 12, 13 and 14 while Losang Dragpa Centre (LDC) at No 1, Jalan 17/21F Petaling Jaya in Selangor will host it on March 19, 20 and 21. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony at CGC is from 5pm to 7pm on March 12. After that, it is open from 10am to 7pm on March 13 and 14.
For further information, call the tour’s organising chairman Anthony Chew (012-5379389) or Dr Daniel Yeoh (012-3810622).
-News courtesy of The Star-
Monday, 1 February 2010
New hilltop temple ready next year
New hilltop temple ready next year
IF all goes well, the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple on Waterfall Road in Penang will welcome Thaipusam devotees in 2012.
Temple committee chairman P. Kuvenaraju said work on the temple, that stands 30m higher than the current hilltop temple, is about 80% completed.
“We have raised close to RM5mil and we need RM3mil more.
“The temple should be completed by the end of next year, in time to usher in devotees for Thaipusam the year after,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
IF all goes well, the new Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple on Waterfall Road in Penang will welcome Thaipusam devotees in 2012.
Temple committee chairman P. Kuvenaraju said work on the temple, that stands 30m higher than the current hilltop temple, is about 80% completed.
“We have raised close to RM5mil and we need RM3mil more.
“The temple should be completed by the end of next year, in time to usher in devotees for Thaipusam the year after,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
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