Nine Emperor Gods Festival
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is an annual Taoist celebration held from the
first day to the ninth day of the lunar month. Celebrate mainly in Thailand,
Singapore and Malaysia, the festival ushers the nine sons of Tou Mu, Goddess of
the North Star who is believed to control the books of life and death.
For nine days, devotees will observe vegetarian diet to cleanse their body and
soul. One can find a variety of vegetarian stalls along the roads and lanes
around Penang with delicious and creative vegetarian cuisines. Some of the
stalls don yellow cloth or signage indicating that they serve vegetarian food.
The Tow Boo Kong Butterworth Temple is one of the biggest temples in Penang
devoted to the Nine Emperor Gods, and usually plans many activities during the
nine days.
On the first and third day, a birthday celebration and prayers were held for the
Deity Nan Dou, Deity Bei Dou and the Nine Emperor Gods. The celebration during
following days also includes medication oil cooking, spear skewering ceremony
and float processions.
The last day of the festival will see the celebrate of the birthday of the Deity
Dou Mu and a final send-off of the Nine Emperor Gods at Pantai Bersih Beach out
to sea.
Devotees can expect more than 10 beautifully decorated floats carrying the
statues of Nine Emperor Gods and Dou Mu.
For more information on the temple activities please contact Tow Boo Kong Temple
Butterworth at 04-331 8717 or email towbookong@gmail.com. Visit their website at
www.towbookong.org.my.
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