PROCESSION FOR 9-EMPEROR GOD FESTIVAL

Entrance to the temple
Lion Dance
Burning paper offerings
The Dou Mou Gong in Ayer Tawar
Dragon dance

The sacred palanquin
Offerings to the deities being paraded during the procession
The 9 oil lamps on a bamboo pole
Close up of the 'royal boat' replica
A medium in trance

Joss-sticks offerred to Kew Ong Yeah from devotees

Participants of the procession holding lanterns, flags and banners
The replica of the 'royal boat' will be burnt later on and its burning signifies the burning of 'Wang Ye' or the 'Deity of plague'.
Carrying the sacred palanquin down the steps of the temple
Devotees carrying the sacred palanquin
The procession about to start
Part of the procession

Believe it or not, I did not know that the committee of the Dou Mou Gong of the in Ayer Tawar was going to hold its annual procession this evening. For your information, most temples for the 9-Emperor Gods in Malaysia are known as such. I had actually wanted to go to the temple in Pasir Puteh in Ipoh while travelling back from Ipoh. I changed my plans as it rained heavily when I reached the place and instead decided to go to the temple in Ayer Tawar. I was glad I did because I managed to see and learn so many new things, not to mention take so many photographs to share with you here. Now, I wonder when they will be holding the 'walking over the burning coals' ritual? If I am free, I'd like to go and witness the event.