Chnea Hoay
Celebrated in Tanjong Tokong at the Hai Choo Soo (Sea Pearl) Temple, Chnea
Hoay is a annual flame-watching ceremony that starts at about 11 o’clock at eve
of Chap Goh Meh (15th day on Chinese New Year). The joss embers are lighted and
the temple lights are switched off. Chnea Hoay is celebrated to check out what
the God of Prosperity, Tua Pek Kong, tells about the country’s economy.
The prediction is based on the height, intensity of the flames and also the
speed at which the embers in the deity’s urn flared up during the ceremony.
The fanning of the embers began at around 11.58 pm when the tidal waters rose
high enough to completely cover a rock about 50m away in the sea fronting the
deity’s temple.
The temple’s lights, candles and oil lamps were put out to enable committee
members of the Poh Hock Seah to monitor the height and intensity of the flames.
The members fanned the urn filled with joss sticks amid the sound of clashing
cymbals. The temple was a hive of activity as thousands of devotees converged to
offer prayers and witness the auspicious ceremony.
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