January Penang events: Ponggal & more

23 Dec 2011

January events in Penang include;

Ponggal - harvest festival in Penang Waterfall Carpark (14/01, all day);
Kek Lok Si Display of Lights - temple celebration for Chinese New Year (23/01, 19:00);
Chor Sor Kong Deity Birthday - Penang Snake Temple (28/01, all day);
Hokkien New Year - celebration at Chew Jetty (30/01, 19:00-midnight);

January 14: Ponggal
Where: Penang Waterfall Carpark
When: all day
This harvest festival is believed to have originated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu some 5,000 years ago and centres on the ritual of cooking rice and milk in a clay pot to symbolize the overflow of wealth and abundance. Celebrated over a period of 4 days, the festival which is steeped in ancient culture and tradition, also involves rituals of spiritual renewal, thanksgiving, worship and prayers for matrimonial blessings.

January 23: Kek Lok Si Display of Lights
Where: Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam
When: 19:00
Literally translated as the Temple of Supreme Bliss in the Hokkien dialect, the Kek Lok Si Temple is a crowd puller and famous tourist attraction, especially during the Chinese New Year. Devotees from far and wide flock to this 120-year-old temple for an annual lighting ceremony. It is believed that this act of faith will bring them peace, luck and prosperity.

January 28: Chor Sor Kong Deity Birthday
Where: Penang Snake Temple
When: all day
Penang is famous Snake Temple is dedicated to the deity Chor Sor Kong, and attracts throngs of
devotees from far and wide who come to offer prayers especially on the 6th day of Chinese New
Year. Chor Sor Kong is regarded as a protector of jungle snakes, and upon establishment of the
temple in the mid-19th century, snakes have appeared within the temple building, appearing
to seek refuge at the shrine which bears a popular name in reference to these serpentine creatures.

January 30: Hokkien New Year
Where: Chew Jetty, Penang
When: 19:00 - midnight
The 8th day of Chinese New Year, also known as Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor God’s birthday) is
celebrated on a big scale by the Hokkien clan to commemorate their forefathers escape in
ancient China. At the stroke of midnight, prayers are performed with much gaiety, offering food,
fruits, liquor and sugarcane stalks to the Jade Emperor God.

Tags: January Penang events