A sight to behold: Volunteers giving the Tow Boo Kong Temple’s new imperial float a final lookover before the Nine Emperor Gods Festival from Oct 3 to 11. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: An impressive new dragon float is set to bring sparkle to this year’s Nine Emperor Gods festival here.It was supposed to have been completed in 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing movement control order halted the project.
Then came the difficulty of finding skilled artisans to resume the job.
But now, after years of the team’s hard work and dedication, the elaborate chariot is ready to serve its sacred purpose.
Datuk Khor Wan Tat, chairman of the Tow Boo Kong Temple here, said the new float marks the retirement of the old dragon boat-shaped float, which had been in use for over 20 years.
Various parts of the old float had deteriorated over time, he said.
“Our new dragon float will bring renewed grandeur and devotion for the temple and its followers,” he said.
Three golden awe-inspiring dragons, depicted as if they were swimming in water with one massive fore claw extended, grace this float shaped like a Chinese-style celestial mansion complete with a broad staircase at the front.
All in all, there are nine golden dragons on the float to represent the Nine Emperor Gods, which are Taoist deities predating the arrival of Buddhism in China.
Khor said the design of the float draws inspiration from ancient Chinese palatial mansions and much effort was put in recreating the intricate decor of such structures.
“The golden body of the float resembles the luxurious carriages once used by emperors, creating a regal atmosphere that reflects the dignity of the deities it will carry.
“Every aspect of the float – from its exterior to the interior – was carefully constructed by artisans from China to embody the magnificence of the Nine Emperor Gods,” he explained.
Khor said the new imperial float will be on full display during key moments of the festival such as the grand parade on the fifth day of the event next Monday, when it will take part in a grand parade around the area.
“Its final ceremonial appearance will take place on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (Oct 11), when the chariot will escort the Nine Emperor Gods back to the heavens.
“The sight of the chariot, combined with the vibrant and spiritual atmosphere of the festival, promises to be an incredible experience for both devotees and visitors,” he added.
This festival, celebrated primarily by the Chinese community, is a significant event in Penang, with thousands of devotees paying homage to the Nine Emperor Gods, believed to bring prosperity and blessings.
Khor said the arrival of the new float symbolises not only the continuity of tradition but also the temple’s dedication to enhancing the spiritual experience of the festival for future generations.
This year’s celebrations, he added, with the inclusion of the majestic new float, are expected to attract even larger crowds.
“We will also be handing out between 3,000 and 6,000 free packets of vegetarian food at noon and 5pm over the festival days,” he said.
Meanwhile, the public can expect to pay between 5% and 15% more for their vegetarian food over the festival period and beyond.
A vegetarian restaurant worker, who declined to be named, said the prices of popular vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, leek, chives and jicama (sengkuang) have increased drastically.
“We have no choice but to pass the increased cost on to our customers. Everything is going up and my boss is finding it hard to cope.”
A 61-year-old fried fritter seller, who only wished to be known as Lim, said the price of jicama had shot up by 50%.
Sweet potatoes, yam and bananas were also more expensive, though the price did not spike as much, he added.
“I’m still absorbing the cost of the increase at the moment as I had only raised prices by 10 sen last year. I have been selling fritters at the same spot for the past 42 years and the increase is the steepest I have encountered.
“I have been thinking about retiring to spend time with my grandchildren; maybe now is the time,” she lamented when met at her stall on Monday.
