Seeking a soulmate: Locals and tourists tossing mandarin oranges into the sea during the Chap Goh Meh celebration at the Esplanade in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: Love will be very thick in the air in Penang when Feb 14 rolls around.
The Penang government has moved the state-level celebrations for Chap Goh Meh, also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, to Feb 14 – the same day as the Western version.
The state administration has a practical reason for postponing the celebration, which was originally scheduled for Feb 12, to better manage crowds and traffic.
The Chap Goh Meh celebration would originally fall during the same period of the three-day Thaipusam festival, which begins on Feb 11.
Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the administration moved Chap Goh Meh to Feb 14 to help ease human and traffic congestion.
“There will be more than a million people coming here throughout that week, as it coincides with the school holidays.
“The state-level Chap Goh Meh celebration in Esplanade alone is expected to draw 20,000 visitors.
“And Thaipusam is another major celebration in Penang that draws huge crowds for the vibrant processions and religious rituals. With the multiple celebrations in the same week, the roads would be overwhelmed and congested.
“That is why we decided to postpone one of the events to better manage the crowd. We hope that those in Penang during that period will make plans to avoid the traffic gridlock.
“I advise Penangites to use public transport or e-hailing services. The authorities will also help manage traffic flow on the island,” he said.
Show of devotion: A file photo of devotees congregating along Datuk Keramat Road to smash coconuts as offerings during the Thaipusam celebration in George Town.
Last year, several main roads in Penang were closed to make way for the gold and silver chariots’ procession during the Thaipusam celebration on Jan 25.
The three-day celebration then drew over one million Hindu devotees.
Wong announced that both locals and visitors will enjoy a variety of activities during next month’s Chap Goh Mei celebration.
The events include orange tossing, performances by local artists, lion dances and a dondang sayang troupe.
“Visitors can expect an array of fun activities starting from 5pm until midnight when there will be a fireworks show.
“The Esplanade will come alive with street food stalls selling local and halal delicacies,” he said.
Chap Goh Meh is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, an important festival signifying the end of the Lunar New Year celebration.
Traditionally, young single women would write their names and phone numbers on mandarin oranges before throwing them in ponds or lakes in hopes of finding a boyfriend or husband.
Bachelors would wait eagerly on the opposite bank to collect the floating oranges.
