Penang Isle: Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple

Located at the coastal area of Tanjung Tokong, this Tua Pek Kong Temple is famous for its flame watching ritual (an event known as “Chneah Hoay” event) on the 14th night of Chinese New Year, which is also the eve of Tua Pek Kong’s Birthday. This event held annually, involves the observation of the flame of the temple’s ceremonial urn which will forecast the economic health of the year according to the local belief. This temple is also the origin of the name Tanjung Tokong and is believed to be the first temple built to worship the Tua Pek Kong, a Chinese Taoist deity in the country.

Recently, the temple area further underwent some renovations with a small outdoor park being built around a small hill behind the temple. The park features LED flowers and at night, it transforms into the Penang Avatar Secret Garden.

The Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival

The 8.3 meters tall effigy of the King of Hades (or Tai Su Yeah) where devotees offered prayers to, during the 7th lunar month of the Chinese calendar in conjunction with The Hungry Ghost month.

This giant effigy was placed under a shelter beside a temple at Market Street of Bukit Mertajam old town, for 15 days until the annual Bukit Mertajam Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) celebration. The effigy will then be moved out to the street and burned on the festival day.

According to the Taoist belief, when the gates of hell open in the 7th lunar month, spirits would be freed to the living world while being watched by Tai Su Yeah. The Hungry Ghost Festival this year started from August 14 until September 12.