GEORGE TOWN: The hustle and bustle at prayer paraphernalia shops and major markets across Penang reached a fever pitch as devotees rushed for last-minute shopping ahead of the Jade Emperor’s Birthday celebrations on Wednesday night (Feb 5).
With prayer items sold at discounted prices and customers piling their last-minute purchases into cars, the celebrations are expected to be grand this year in Penang.
This included large sculptures and offerings folded from gold joss paper that cost from RM200 to RM800 depending on size and complexity.
To boost sales, some shops offer delivery services to customers who purchase in bulk, typically in amounts of RM200 or more.
Shoppers thronged popular markets such as Chowrasta, Batu Lanchang, and Ayer Itam to hunt for essential prayer items, particularly sugarcane stalks, pink sugar pagodas, and various offerings.
Traders reported brisk business as families prepared for the annual celebration, also known as "Pai Thinn Kong," a significant event among the Hokkien community, celebrated on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year.
Many customers who arrived as early as 6am scrambled to secure fresh sugarcane, a vital offering symbolising protection and gratitude.
Market trader Ng Ah Hock, 58, said prices had surged slightly due to high demand but remained stable at between RM20 to RM25 per bundle.
For cuts of the sugar cane, they were sold at RM15 per bundle of six pieces.
Many other vendors were seen selling pink sugar pagodas, used as decorative prayer items, as well as varieties of kuih and other food items for offerings.
On Wednesday night, the major celebration on the island would be held at Chew Jetty in Weld Quay while on the mainland, it would be at Kampung Cross Street in Bukit Mertajam where an altar standing at 13.38m height is set to make it into the Malaysian Book Of Records.
The celebration is traditionally celebrated by the Hokkiens to pay homage to the Jade Emperor, believed to rule heaven and earth, on his birthday.
The prayer ceremony, also known as Bai Tian Gong in Mandarin, serves to give thanks to the Jade Emperor who was believed to have rescued the ancestors of the Hokkiens from the clutches of an invading army.