Over 130 years of haunting history at Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam

Peh explained that each year, they commission a custom giant statue of the hell deity Tai Su Yeah from an artisan in Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, which is placed in a tent for devotees to pray. On the night of Aug 20, the statue is paraded down Jalan Pasar (Bukit Mertajam) and burned in a ritual witnessed by thousands. Photo: Bernama

Each year, Jalan Pasar in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, becomes a bustling hotspot as tens of thousands of Taoist and Buddhist devotees flock to celebrate the lively and spirited Hungry Ghost Festival, known as "Phor Thor".

In the Chinese lunar calendar, the seventh month is considered the "ghost month”, with the Hungry Ghost Festival falling on the 15th day. This year, the ghost month started on Aug 4 and ends on Sept 2. Tomorrow is the 15th day which will see devotees performing rituals to worship the deity of spirits "Di Guan Da Di".