In conjunction with the Thaipusam Festival, today is a public holiday in Penang. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community annually.
Tag: festival
A Dragon Boat
The Penang’s annual international dragon boat race was held at the Teluk Bahang reservoir recently.
Nagore Square: Urban Xchange Street Art Festival
Nagore Square‘s Nagore Mews, a small area comprising of old empty heritage houses, has now become the canvas for the Urban Xchange International Street Art Festival. Featuring artists from a number of countries, the festival aims to promote the expression of arts in Penang. Organised by a Berlin-based urban arts centre and Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, the festival will have murals painted by international artists as well as local artists at various spots in George Town.
Location of Nagore Mews;
Happy Deepavali
Today marks the celebration of Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, which is widely observed by Hindus around the world. Deepavali is a public holiday in Malaysia.
George Town Chinese New Year Festival
Held annually at the heritage area of George Town, the Chinese New Year festival and celebration in Penang usually attracts a huge turnout of visitors. Various cultural performances and events (such as lion dance, traditional opera, heritage show, etc) are being held at the festival.
Kek Lok Si lighted up for Chinese New Year
Kek Lok Si will be lighted up at night for a month in view of the Chinese New Year.
George Town Street View: Getting Ready for Chinese New Year
Red lanterns adorning the streets in George Town in preparation for the upcoming week’s Chinese New Year celebration.
A Scene at Thaipusam Festival
Today marks the day of the Thaipusam festival, celebrated by Hindu devotees in the country.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community annually. Outside India, Malaysia is the only country which widely observes this festival. In Malaysia, it was popularly celebrated by many Hindu devotees either at the Batu Caves in Selangor or the Waterfall Temple in Penang. Carrying the ‘kavadi’ or pulling chariots via ropes pierced on the bodies of devotees are common sights during the festival.
George Town: Temple of the Nine Emperor Gods
This Temple of the Nine Emperor Gods in George Town is reportedly the oldest temple to worship the Nine Emperor Gods in Penang. Established way back in 1840, the temple has since transformed from a small shrine to its current state. It can be found along Cheong Fatt Tze Street. Two other such temples in Penang can be found at Macallum Street and in Butterworth.
Primarily observed by the local Chinese, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a 9-days Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This year’s celebration will kick off today (4th October). During this 9-days period, devotees will be observing a strict vegetarian diet.
The Nine Emperor Gods Photo Exhibition
Sometime back in early July this year, there was a special photo exhibition along Cheong Fatt Tze Street which was featured as part of the events of Georgetown Festival 2013. This unique exhibition by freelance photographer Cheryl J Hoffmann touches on the Nine Emperor Gods festival which was widely celebrated by the locals. Below are some of her beautiful shots on display;
Do visit the photographer’s page; http://cheryljhoffmann.com/ for more amazing photos.