LANTERN FESTIVAL

The Hokkiens refer to the fifteenth night of the Chinese New Year as Chap Goh Meh. To the Cantonese, it is known as the Lantern Festival. It is supposed to be the Chinese version of Valentine's day whereby in long ago China single men would venture out to the city square to look at the lanterns on display. At the same time they would eye the available maidens who are also out on this night supposedly admiring the lanterns and the poems hung up.

This year, my mum, aunt Linda and I visited the Kuan Yin Cave Temple in Gopeng Road on this auspicious day. We prayed to Kuan Yin and Buddha and hoped that we would be showered with blessings. The temple committee had organised many activities for this day. Eligible men and women could attach their pictures and particulars to a mandarin orange to attract suitors (see the last picture).

Visitors to the temple could also purchase a mandarin orange tied to a special piece of prayer paper where their names and particulars are written. They then proceed to the wishing tree to try and hurl the mandarin and piece of paper on to a branch of the tree. If they are successful in their attempt then their wish would be granted. The higher the stuff reaches the better their prospects.

Then there are those who would go to a special pond to release fishes. There is a certain time to do so. If I am not mistaken it should be around midday to 2.30 p.m. Overlooking the pond are a row of Kuan Yin statues in white. Each figurine is lovely and how I wished that I could look as lovely as the beautiful Goddess of Mercy.

The inner sanctum of the caves was the place of worship for the Buddhas. We all bought candles to be put on the altar. It was our hope that the light of the candles would brighten our luck for the year.

The place had other attractions like lovely water features, an antique trishaw, figurines of Kuan Yin, a game of giant Chinese checkers and Chinesey decor. At night, there will be performances by local singers as well as throwing of mandarin oranges into a pond. I am told that the young men would go and fish our the mandarins thrown by the ladies and vice versa.