Malaysia Yong Peng Qing Tian Temple Annual Celebration 2011 (西馬永平新港青天宮辛卯年桂月慶典)

Million Thanks to Bro Chee Seng and Sis-in-law for inviting Jave to go over to Qing Tian Temple (青天宮) located at Malaysia Yong Peng, Xin Gang Village (西馬永平新港), whereas the Family of Sis-in-law Cherie was one of the few Main Contributors of this Temple. The Temple was celebrating the Anniversary of General Hong Gong (洪公聖君) aka the Sworn Brother of Zhang Gong Fa Zhu (張公法主).

On the 20 Sept (the 3rd Day Celebration – Actual Day), we arrived in Malaysia at about 9.30Pm, with about 1.5 hours of travelling, we reached at Yong Peng at about 11.30Pm, just before the Anniversary Honouring started at 12.00Noon.

By the time we arrived at the Temple, it was already crowded with Devotees and the Villagers. Just as advised by Sis-in-law Cherie on the reaction that the people might had on us, I was really surprised to notice that, All of them stared at us when we arrived, just like Long-time Lost Family Members had returned home.

As usual, we were being warmly welcomed by Sis-in-law Cherie’s Mum. Just as Jave was chatting with the Mum, she told us that the Temple had bought the Land and New Temple would be building in No-time when the Funding was ready for the construction.

Just when we arrived, the Home-cooked Hokkien Mee (福建面) cooked by Sis-in-law Cherie’s Father was ready and so, we were being asked to have our Lunch first and Jave could say that the Hokkien Mee was superb Delicious and Special that outside stores couldn’t find.

Just as we finished our Meal, the Temple committee gathered all of us to station outside the Temple and we were informed that the Honouring was going to start after the Opera Actors paid their respect to the Deities.

With the Leader of the Temple reciting the Spiritual Petition to the Deities, 3 loud cheers were being shouted by the Devotees and Villagers and with a sudden, the Fire Crackers were being lighted, it was scary but the feeling was good, cos for us Singaporeans, we had missed the sound of Fire Crackers for many many years, just as what I told Bro Chee Seng, it was a form of different style “Cleansing” for us – the Busy Singaporeans.

Immediately after the Fire Crackers stopped, the Sending Off of paper offerings were being conducted by a big group of Happy and Cheerful Members of the Temple.

Upon the completion of the Honouring, we left the Temple to proceed to Sis-in-law Cherie’s Childhood Home to rest for a while before we went for a short tour in the Viilage.

By 4.00pm, we arrived back at the Temple to have our Dinner. Again, a Home Cooked style Dinner and All the Food was wonderful, especially the Yong Tau Foo (釀豆腐) prepared by Sis-in-law Cherie’s Mum and the Curry Mutton by Sis-in-law Cherie’s Brother-in-law – Zhi Wei.

By 5.30pm, we left Yong Peng to head home, worrying that there might be Traffic Jam due to the Rainy Weather.

It was indeed an enjoying trip to see the way the other Countries’ Temple Celebration. For this Temple, the Celebration may be simple, but the feeling was totally different. Its filled with a Homely Atmosphere and the whole environment seems like we had returned back to the 70s.

Some Special Features that we see:

1 – In Malaysia, we still can see Homes inviting their own Deities to Temples during Celebrations

2 – Few Storeys high Long Incenses being offered to Deities

3 – Very Unique and Official of Setting-up the Spiritual Armies Territory

4 – Different Temples around the Area will send Gifts to the Celebration Temple as a form of Respect