Deity predicts good economy in first trimester for Penang

Devotees paying homage to the resident deity Cheng Chooi Chor Soo Kong and catching a glimpse of the flames during the annual Snake Temple flame-watching ceremony in conjunction with the deity’s birthday. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

THE resident deity of the almost two-century-old Snake Temple in Penang predicts that the economy of the state would be at its best from January to April.

Devotees of the Cheng Chooi Chor Soo Kong deity saw the prediction in the annual flame-watching ceremony of the Hock Hin Keong in Bayan Lepas on Tuesday, held in honour of the deity’s birthday.

It is the temple’s tradition to read the deity’s divinations based on the stability, brightness and strength of three bursts of flames of the incense urn — each of which represents a four-month cycle of the year.

Cheng Hoe Seah Associaton chairman Teoh Hock Guan, whose help the temple sought for the flame-watching ceremony, said the first flame that ignited at 11.50pm was bright and steady.

“It was about 10 inches (25.4cm) tall with a strong base,” he said.

A crowd gathering to watch the exciting lion dance on stilts performance during the flame-watching ceremony.

He said the second flame came alive at 11.54pm and the last one three minutes later.

“Both the flames were weaker compared to the first one. The economy will slow down after May.

“However, people need not worry as it will still be better compared with last year,” he said.

Teoh added that devotees could also refer to the flame-watching predictions of Tua Pek Kong (God of Prosperity) at Hai Choo Soo Temple in Tanjung Tokong on the 14th day of the Lunar New Year.

Earlier, about 60,000 visitors enjoyed themselves at the sixth edition of the Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple’s Chinese New Year Cultural Celebration.

They were entertained with dances, singing and cultural performances, such as lion dance on stilts, dragon and snake dances and a warrior drum performance.

Devotees praying with joss sticks at the Snake Temple to commemorate the resident deity Cheng Chooi Chor Soo Kong’s birthday.

The festival, however, was cut short when it rained heavily at around 10.20pm, but it did not affect the flame-watching ceremony.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, state exco members Danny Law Heng Kiang and Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Hokkien Kongsi chairman Yeoh Guan Aun and organising chairman Cheah Cheng Ean.

Yesterday, worshipers and tourists alike flocked to the temple during the day-long celebration.

Japanese tourist Keiko Oe, who is visiting Malaysia for the first time, said she didn’t know about the deity’s birthday but it was a happy coincidence.

Visitors also went to the snake farm on the temple grounds, which has over 20 species of serpents.

Guan Eng (centre) and committee members of the Penang Hokkien Kongsi launching the Penang Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple flame-watching ceremony.

There were poisonous cobras on top of a 7m-long reticulated python that weighed 100kg.

Singaporeans Erik Sim and Alvin Kum, who drove to Penang from their home for the first time, were delighted by the tame snakes at the temple.

Snake farm owner Lilian Chew said the farm was started in 2005 to educate the public about snakes tthat have dwindled in numbers due to the loss of their natural habitat.