Thousands take part in Chap Goh Meh celebration at Goddess of Mercy Temple

Thousands of revellers scooped up mandarin oranges during Chap Goh Mei at the Kwan Yin Tong in Ipoh. – RONNIE CHIN/The Star

THOUSANDS turned up at the annual Chap Goh Meh celebration held at Kwan Yin Tong (Goddess of Mercy Temple) last Friday night.

Besides single women and men tossing mandarin oranges into a stream in the temple’s grounds, couples were also seen doing the same while wishing for everlasting love.

Temple chairman Ho You Ming said although the ritual used to be for single women to throw oranges into the river to find true love, there are also single men, and couples participating in the event these days.

“Some people participated for fun, while some were actually following the ancient tradition,” he added.

Many visitors were seen writing their phone numbers on mandarin oranges for the festival.

Ho said this year, the small garden within the temple was also decorated with LED lighting to attracted more people to the festival.

He said the lighting in the shape of trees and hearts provided the opportunity for people to pose with and photograph.

Ho said the younger generation especially were very excited over the garden.

“This year as well, we had 1500 tanglung (lanterns) put up throughout the temple, compared with some 800 last year.

The temple’s grounds were decorated with strings of LED lights for the occasion.

“It was really a sight to behold, and some 20,000 people attended the event,” he added.

Chap Goh Meh falls on the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie was also present to hand out red packets on behalf of the temple to some 1,000 people.

A lion dance and stage performances were also held to entertain the crowd.

The festival ended with a fireworks display.