TEMPLE VISIT ON THE FIFTH DAY OF 9 EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL

Today is the fifth day of the ninth lunar month and since I am back in Ipoh for the weekend, I went to the Tow Boh Keong Temple at Jalan Kampar to pay homage to the 9 Emperor Gods who have come down to earth for the duration.
My mum, aunt and I went early to the temple so that it would be less crowded.  I actually drove to the temple last night to have a look-see and discovered that there were many, many people there.
I had actually planned on going there as early as 6 a.m. in the morning but then I overslept and woke up at around 7.30 a.m.  So, I had to make do with going there at 8.30 a.m.  By the time, we reached the place, there were already a lot of people.  However, it was still not jam packed.
Enjoy looking at the pictures below that I took this morning.

People buying the tortoise buns as offerings before  entering the temple

Yellow tortoise buns

A stall selling joss-sticks and incense paper outside the temple

Me standing in front of the Temple

 

The yellow lotus candle on the right of the urn is my offering for the deities

Paying respect to the Empress Dou Mou and the 9 Emperor Gods

Smoke cleansing

Offerings of tortoise buns and peach buns

My mummy preparing the offerings for the deities

The devotees setting out their offerings for prayers

Those holding lighted joss-sticks are advised to hold them up high to prevent them from causing harm to others.

When the two men above see someone putting cash into the donation box in front of them, they would beat the drum and sound the bell in acknowledgement of the contribution.  

The above two pictures show devotees entering and exiting a tunnel right under the main altar.  It  is believed that by entering and exiting the tunnel 3 times, one bad luck would be gotten rid of.

Devotees who have entered the tunnel under the altar would usually be given a paper charm for good luck.  Those who have performed prayers could also request for the paper charm.  They are given free.

Lucky strings that have been blessed by Taoist priests are sold at the temple.  The prices of the strings are around RM3 to RM5.

Goods donated to the temple.

Good luck paper wheels sold in the temple.  Devotees who have performed prayers would sometimes buy these wheels to blow away the bad luck and usher in good luck.