The Poh Toh Association (Persatuan Penyokong Penyokong Perayaan Poh Toh) in Section 21 SEA Park, Petaling Jaya celebrated the Hungry Ghost Festival 2009 in a grand style to mark its 25th anniversary this year.
Mai Tomyam captured some beautiful intriguing moments of the festival within the lens during the 4-day celebration from September 7 – 10, 2009.
According to Chinese belief, the gates of Hell (Hades) are opened on the first day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar (August 20 to September 18, 2009), releasing ghosts to roam among the livings on Earth and feast on the sumptuous offerings prepared for them throughout the month.
The 30th day of the seventh moon is the last day of the Hungry Ghost Festival. At midnight, the ghosts return to Hell and the gates are shut after them.
More pics continued from:
Hungry Ghost Festival (Phor Thor) 2009: Grand 25th anniversary celebration in SEA Park PJ (Part 1)
Its time to send-off the deity Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) on the 3rd day of the Hungry Ghost Festival celebration. A committee member of the SEA Park Poh Toh Association stands on the altar preparing to bring down the effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades).
The effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) being brought down slowly from the altar.
The Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) effigy being carried out of the altar.
Committee members (in yellow shirts), devotees and volunteers help to carry the effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades).
A paper effigy of a bus.
The two dragons leading the group to the nearby open car park (next to former Ruby cinema) at Jalan 21/19 where the paper effigies are to be burnt in a gaint bonfire to send off Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades).
The effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) making its way to a nearby open car park area at Jalan 21/19.
An effigy of a ship together with other paper effigies.
Five paper horse effigies.
An effigy of a mansion.
The paper effiigies are carried to the open car park located next to the former Ruby cinema in Jalan 21/19.
At the open car park area, the effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) and other effigies are arranged on the ground.
Arranging the horses.
The paper effigies of five horses in a row.
Giant joss sticks.
Stacking paper money around the paper effigies.
The dragon getting ready to perform.
A dragon dance performed the last dance before the effigies are set alight.x
The paper effigies being set alight by devotees.
The ship is slowly burning.
It took several minutes for the flames to engulf the paper effigies to mark the sending off of the deity.
The big bonfire.
Not to worry. The Poh Toh SEA Park Association had earlier informed the Fire and Rescue Deparment and their men were already here watching the burning from a safe distance.
Hundreds of people witnessed the burning of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) and other paper effigies at the open car park (next to former Ruby cinema) in Jalan 21/19 SEA Park, PJ.
While the effigies are being burnt, commitee members of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) volunteer their service looking after the food offerings at the makeshit tent.
After the ceremonial send off for Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades), the food offerings not taken back by devotees are then loaded into a lorry with the help of commitee members of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA).
These food offerings will be taken to the office of Poh Toh SEA Park Association for temporary storage and later donated to charitable bodies.
A committe member of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Associaton (RA) directing traffic flow during the celebration.
On the fourth day of the celebration, a 100-table charity dinner attended by about 1,000 people was held with funds raised donated to deserving schools, universities, the needy and disabled.
There was an auction of goods and many bid for these items in the hope and belief that they would, in year ahead, bring prosperity to them.
Committee members of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) at the charity dinner. (From left) Alex Ng, Yap Kim Lin, Susan Chan, Lim See Pong, Irene Tan, Leong Yin Chee and Loke Woh Kam.
A lucky guest won a hamper in a lucky draw.
The two red lions prancing to the deafening rhythm of drum beats and clanging cymbals.
The lion dance troupe members providing the tempo for the lion dance.
The Lion Dance Troupe of Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
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