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Thursday February 7, 2013

Kek Lok Si Temple lights up for Chinese New Year


Fairyland of lights: Fireworks lighting up the skies above the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, to usher in the Chinese New Year. Fairyland of lights: Fireworks lighting up the skies above the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, to usher in the Chinese New Year.

GEORGE TOWN: The 122-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam turned into a fairyland as thousands of colourful lights set the temple aglow.

An air of festivity pervaded all over the temple's official lighting ceremony as thousands of visitors flocked from near and far to witness the annual event aimed at welcoming the Chinese New Year.

Red and yellow lanterns as well as multi-coloured LED bulbs at the temple pagoda and its lower station were lit up after a chanting ceremony, accompanied by the offering of joss sticks and incense to deities, led by temple abbot Reverend Datuk Seri Seck Jit Heng.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng officiated the ceremony at 7pm yesterday.

Visitors were also treated to a fireworks show.

Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said the temple would be lit up until March 9.

“Starting from Chinese New Year eve on Saturday until Chap Goh Meh (the last day of Chinese New Year) on Feb 24, the temple will be opened to the public from 8.30am till midnight. After the 15th day, the Kek Lok Si Temple will be opened from 8.30am till 10pm until March 9,” he added.

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