GEORGE TOWN: While the faithful gathered at the Jade Emperor’s Pavilion here to pray, the road leading to the temple was not without its usual sight of hundreds of beggars waiting for alms and sadly strewing the road with litter.
Some torn angpow, discarded polypropylene and polystyrene food packets, plastic bags and other food wrappings were found in the drains there.
This practice of devotees donating money and giving away food to the beggars during the Jade Emperor’s birthday also known as Pai Thnee Kong, has been observed over the years, with some beggars reportedly collecting over RM100 per day.
A Penang Island City Council (MBPP) worker who was carrying out cleaning works there said there was always an abundance of food donated to the beggars.
“But what they want is money, some of the food end up being discarded along the road.
“Instead of focusing on our regular duties, we are now spending more time cleaning up the waste that gets dumped on the streets and in the drains,” he lamented.
Thousands of worshippers ascended the 110 granite steps leading to the temple yesterday to offer prayers.
Carrying an array of offerings, devotees followed the religious tradition that has been observed for generations by making the uphill journey to seek blessings from the Jade Emperor and other deities enshrined within the temple.
Among the worshippers was Chua Sui Hua, 50, from Balik Pulau, who brought stacks of folded paper money and joss paper clothing as offerings in exchange for divine protection.
“I have been coming here to pray to the Jade Emperor for about 20 years after learning that his predictions in fortune-telling are highly accurate.
“Indeed, the prophecy delivered by the Jade Emperor has proven true, and it has greatly benefited both my business and personal life,” he said.
Chua added that before heading to the temple, he had performed a separate prayer at home with his family as part of the traditional offerings to the deity.
The celebration saw numerous families, many dressed in auspicious red attire symbolising prosperity and good fortune, participating in the rituals.
Lim Koon, 53, from Bayan Lepas returned to pay homage to Jade Emperor with his wife and their two-year-old son.
“As a teenager, I used to come at midnight on the eve of the Jade Emperor’s birthday to join in the countdown festivities.
“In recent years, I have chosen to come during the day to focus more on the prayers and to seek blessings of good health for my family,” he said.
The Jade Emperor’s birthday celebrations commence on the night of the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, with the following day regarded as his official birthday.
For the Hokkien community, this day is also celebrated as their New Year and they would offer thanks to the Jade Emperor who was believed to have rescued the ancestors of the Hokkiens from the clutches of an invading army.
