Gift to the beyond: Eng Hock (right) and his family offering food, joss paper and paper replicas of luxury cars and houses at the Leong How Koe columbarium in Paya Terubong. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The usually quiet Leong How Koe Columbarium hall in Paya Terubong was transformed into a hive of activity as families flocked to observe the mid-month Hungry Ghost Festival.
Among them was Tan Eng Hock, 55, who came with his family and siblings to offer prayers and food to his late parents.
He shared that his father, 83, passed away on Nov 18 last year, and just four days later, his 78-year-old mother died.
“The loss of both parents within the same week was very sudden and the prayers are held in remembrance of them,” he said.
For hotel maintenance staff Oon Soon Mooi, 46, the festival carried extra meaning this year.
He was accompanied by five other family members to pay respects to his grandfather, who passed away last year at the age of 80.
“This is our first time here and from now on, it will become an annual tradition for us,” he said as his family carefully arranged roast pork, fruits and traditional kuih on the prayer table.
Another first-time visitor was Tan Chee Seng, 47, who offered prayers for his father who died a week before Chinese New Year this year.
Together with his family and younger brother, he arrived as early as 8am to avoid the crowds.
“We wanted to finish before it got too busy. It took us about an hour to complete the prayers,” he said.
A spokesman for the columbarium said the Penang United Hokkien Cemeteries management prepared more than 150 tables this year to cater to the growing number of families coming to offer prayers.
“Because it is a weekend and the crowd is larger, we opened an hour earlier. From tomorrow (Sunday), we will return to the usual hours of 8am to 4pm,” he said.
The Hungry Ghost Festival, which falls in the seventh lunar month, is deeply rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs.
According to tradition, this is the time when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam freely in the human world.
Offerings of food, incense, candles and joss paper, also known as “hell money”, are meant to provide comfort and sustenance to these spirits, ensuring they do not bring misfortune to the living.
