Lighting ritual adapts to changing times

Seen among the decorations are ox and calf sculptures to mark the Year of the Ox. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star and Oriental Daily

TENS of thousands of colourful lights and traditional lanterns now illuminate Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Itam, Penang, to herald the Chinese New Year just as it has always been done in past years.

To keep up with tradition, the lights now make the 130-year-old monastery glow in the dark all the way up to the 33.6m-tall Goddess of Mercy statue and pavilion.