BUKIT MERTAJAM: Hundreds of devotees have been making a beeline to pay homage to a gigantic effigy of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) in Jalan Pasar here in conjunction with the 15-day Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) celebration.
Standing majestically at a height of 8m and a width of 5.4m, the effigy is believed to be the tallest in the country.
Bukit Mertajam Phor Thor committee chairman Datuk Tan Cheang Heng said that craftsman Ng Chai Wang took almost six months to complete the structure which is made of coloured paper, glued onto a bamboo frame.
“The effigy was delivered to us in three parts and we took three-hours using a crane to put it together last Thursday , a day before the 15-day prayers began.
“The effigy, which cost over RM20,000 to make, was placed on a wooden platform with wheels, so that it could be easily brought to the entrance of the Bukit Mertajam wholesaler’s market where it would be burnt on Aug 23 to give the deity a grand send-off,” he said yesterday.
Tan said that the height of the effigy was increased by an inch every year, noting that it has been over 100 years since the local community celebrated the annual Hungry Ghost Festival in the area.
He noted that a small figurine of Goddess Kuan Yin was placed on Tai Su Yeah’s head to guide and appease him during his visit here from Hades.
“The Phor Thor here was originally celebrated on a small scale under a big tree in front of the market.
“Over the years, the celebration became bigger, now attracting more than 150,000 devotees throughout the 15-day period,” he said.
Tan said the devotees presented an average of 100 heads of swine daily as offerings to the deity, besides goats, chickens and ducks.
Also offered to the deity was a giant steamed turtle bun (popularly known as Mee Koo in Hokkien) which was designed with some turtle hatchlings riding on its back.
Tan said that while the public was free to offer prayers at any time throughout the celebration, dedicated prayers were conducted at 10am daily for various community groups and associations.
Taoist custom has it that when the gates of Hell open in the seventh lunar month, spirits get to enjoy a holiday as they freely roam the human world.
Stage shows, including modern dance performances, are held nightly to entertain these spirits.
The feast called Yu Lan in Mandarin or Phor Thor in Hokkien is held annually to ensure a peaceful and prosperous year.
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