The celebration for the birthday of the Jade Emperor falls on the 9th lunar day of Chinese New Year and is celebrated mainly by the Chinese Hokkien community in Penang, which is also commonly referred to as the “Hokkien New Year”.
Two popular areas in Penang where this day is celebrated are the Jade Emperor Pavilion temple at Ayer Itam and the Clan Jetties area (such as the pictures below) at Weld Quay, George Town.
A Chinese Incense Sticks shop by the side of the old Kuan Yin Temple at Kapitan Keling Mosque Street, George Town.
The old Kuan Yin Temple at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (or Kapitan Keling Mosque Street), George Town.
Prayers at the Chew Jetty’s Temple during the Jade Emperor celebration (on the 9th day of Chinese lunar new year). Every year, the Weld Quay area is usually host to the biggest celebration for the Jade Emperor in Penang.
An art work by artist Julia Volchkova can be found at an old overgrown wall along the alley of Lumut Lane, George Town. Improvising on the existing wall facade of nature and stone, this mural depicts an old Indian lady who seems to be praying under the overgrown tree’s shade.
For this mural’s location, please click HERE.
For Julia’s other street arts in Penang, please click HERE.
Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu Temple is an old and historical Hindu temple located at the Bagan Luar area in Butterworth. The temple was found to have originated from a small hut built by the local Hindu community here in 1853 as a place of worship for the Hindu mother deity Amman. Subsequently, the temple underwent additional renovation and expansion into a beautiful and impressive temple complex today.
Street photo of a small alley in the heart of George Town.
Found at the Armenian Street Art Alley in George Town.
The Nine Emperor Gods’ Temple at Macallum Street Ghaut, George Town.
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 started last week and today is the last day. During this 9-days period, devotees will be observing a strict vegetarian diet. It was said that it usually rains on the last day of this festival.
Annually during the 7th lunar month of the Chinese calendar (also known as the The Hungry Ghost Festival), the giant effigy of the King of Hades/Hell (or Tai Su Yeah) will be put on display at Bukit Mertajam town for devotees to offer prayers to. On the 15th day of the month (which happens to be today), the effigy will be transported to the street and then burned to mark the end of the festival.
