Every year, during the Chinese New Year festive period, the famous and iconic Kek Lok Si temple will be illuminated to celebrate the festival.
Category: Architecture
Penang Snake Temple CNY Festival 2018
This year marks the 6th Ban Ka Lan Chinese New Year celebration at the Penang Snake Temple.
The Ban Ka Lan (or Flame Watching) festival is held annually during the Chinese New Year period, as a ceremony to predict the year’s economy by observing the intensity of the flames during the ritual. The festival is also held to celebrate the birthday of the deity of the snake temple, Cheng Chooi Chor Soo Kong.
The Jade Emperor Temple
The Jade Emperor Temple at the foot of Penang Hill.
During the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, Chinese Hokkien people will be celebrating the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is also known as the Hokkien people’s new year, and has its origin back during the Song Dynasty where Chinese Hokkien refugees were saved from being caught and killed by the Mongols on the same day of the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Hence, as gratitude and believing that the Jade Emperor had saved them, the Hokkien people soon marked this day as an important festival to be celebrated.
Most Chinese in Penang are Hokkiens, so this day is usually celebrated more widely (and ‘loudly’) here than the first day of Chinese New Year.
A Glimpse of Suffolk House
Suffolk House, Penang.
Penang Waterfall Hilltop Hindu Shrine
One of the old shrines of the Penang Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the central location of Thaipusam festivities for Hindu worshippers.
Passing by the Heritage Mosque
The old and famous Kapitan Keling Mosque in George Town.
Sunday Stroll along Armenian Street
A trishaw passing through Armenian Street, the heart of heritage in George Town.
The Yellow Boat at the Old Clan Jetty
A yellow boat parked at the Tan clan jetty in George Town during a low tide season.
George Town Street View: Malacca Street
Malacca Street (or Lebuh Melaka) is one of the many old streets in George Town, which is also predominantly a residential area.
George Town Street View: A Heritage Wall
A side wall and door of an old pre-war townhouse in George Town.