Old Nine Emperor Gods Temple at the foot of Bukit China

The front view of the temple

The people behind the founding and running of the temple : 

the Past & Present

An old photo of a nun, perhaps, the founder of the Chai Teng (Literally translated as Vegetarian Centre. Chai Teng functions as a centre for female spiritual cultivators)

The Chai Kohs (a priestess-like community who observe celibacy & vegetarian diet) , who were Ah Mah Chehs (servants)

An old group photo, perhaps, of the founders

The touched up version of the old photo

A collection of old photos adorn the wall, a reminder of the past.

The present helpers at the temple

The classic look

The Shrine :

The shrine, a shot from the temple compound

The shrine, a shot from the entrance

A shot from the inside

A closeup shot

The Rites and rituals :

 

Yellow cloth strips to be tied to the wrist throughout the Nine Emperor Gods Festival and removed at the end of the festival.

Offering of joss sticks

An old urn, with sandal wood burning.Devotees cleanse and bless themselves with the smoke from the burning sandal wood.

Bell to bless the donors

Oil lamp

Instruments that adds on to the sanctity of the festival

food..glorious food  :) 

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fried noodles, curry, mix vege  (be early to savour it)

Fire walking, the culmination of the festival at Nam Thean Kong temple

Fire walking is traditionally held on the 

9th day of the 9th month at Nam Thean Kong temple.

 The urn enshrining the spirits of the gods are taken out from the sacred sanctum to preside over the pre-fire walking rites.

Devotees kneel face down in traditional Chinese gesture of respecting royalties before the entourage bearing the spirits of the 9 Emperor Gods pass by them.

Then, the chanting ceremony starts, followed by a few cleansing rites ie. drinking holy water , tying ropes made of yellow cloth around the waist and  pants, and waving a burning piece of gold joss paper over the head down to the feet.

 More ritual chanting followed and devotees kneel throughout the ceremony.

 Finally, the spirits of the 9 Emperor Gods are invited to preside over the fire-walking ceremony. The palanquin bearing the sacred urn is taken out to the fire walking grounds amidst the intense spiritual aura generated in the temple by the drumming and tolling of the temple bell.  

The palanquin bearing the sacred urn is taken out to preside over the fire walking ceremony. All the devotees except the palanquin bearers and ceremony masters kneel.

  Devotees head to the fire walking pit thereafter. Here, two Indians are seen participating in this ritual.

A charcoal bon fire is lit earlier in the evening for the ceremony. The burning coal is beaten using two pieces of planks to even up the pieces of burning coal.

 A ritual is held to bless the fire pit by a ritual master accompanied by drumming and clashing cymbals.