THE Tai Por Kong Temple (San Jiang Miao) in Macallum Street Ghaut, George Town, will be open to devotees from 7am on Chinese New Year eve (Saturday, Jan 21) to 5pm on Sunday (Jan 22).
Temple secretary Koay Teng Hai said this would be the first time the temple would be open past midnight on the first day of Chinese New Year since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
“You can come to the temple to offer incense in the early morning on the first day of Chinese New Year.
“After that, the daily opening hours of the temple will be from 7am to 5pm,” he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 20).
Koay added that the temple would continue with its annual Grand Duke (Tai Sui in Cantonese) ritual.
He said those interested could learn more through its Facebook page at https://web.facebook.com/penangtaiporkong/ or contact 012- 427 9564 or 019- 400 3220.
Each year, those born under certain zodiac signs are believed to clash with the Grand Duke’s will and may be at risk of misfortune in varying degrees.
To appease the Grand Duke and avoid being on his "blacklist", those who submit their names to Tai Por Kong Temple will have their details and addresses printed on an ornately inscribed pamphlet to be offered as a supplication during the ritual.
In the Chinese pantheon of deities, 60 deity-generals take turns each year to be appointed as the Grand Duke, who has charge of all the affairs of the mortal realm.
The specific deity's statue "in charge" for the year is adorned with a golden cloak.
Tai Por Kong Temple is one of the few in Malaysia with the consecrated statues of all 60 deity-generals.
On another matter, Koay said the temple has donated to several charitable organisations as part of its thanksgiving ceremony held on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month.
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