Walking down the street where all the floats are stationed before the procession start, there are people from different races walking here and there busy snapping pictures of the floats. Yes, it is a very Chinese religious 'thingy' or Taoism to be more exact but seeing many of Chinese, Malays, Indians and tourists (more or less those Ang Moh) faces making it like a grand Malaysia Event in Penang.
We, Hokkien people said the procession was 'LAU JUAK', the Malays would say 'MERIAH', the Indians would say 'SEREPPA IRANTHATHU' (not sure Jeremy gave me the correct term or not -.-) and those Ang Mohs would say 'PLEASANT or MERRY'. Indeed, the procession was pleasant and merry as it makes George Town more lively on that night. Even the clock is ticking at 12.00am, I can still see lines of people crowding and waiting for the procession to pass by.
The procession fall on the 15th of Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar (28th February 2010) which is also in conjunction with Chap Goh Meh and Twa Peh Kong's birthday. The procession took nearly 6hours to completed the designated routes which is nearly 10km in length. The procession was participated by 52 different floats from different temple communities and accompany by various deities such as Na Zha, Guan Kong, Tua Peh, Ji Peh and many more. The floats are build with a wide range of theme covering from futuristic theme to eco-friendly theme.
Before the Grand Procession start:
People flocking around at the junction of Pitt Street and Chulia Street
Float No. 35 Group Picture
Twa Pek Kong's Tiger and the two beer girls below; either Carlsbery or Tiger
Preparing for group picture too
Floats lining up along Beach Street
Still preparing...
Listening to 'arahan' (instruction) before depart to each station..
Devotee praying to the Na Zha sitting on the sedan chair
NeZha or Na Zha (Protection Deity) providing protection to Twa Peh Kong all along the procession
The legendary Guan Yu (read Guan Kong) guarding the Twa Peh kong float from evil spirits
Smoking the main altar with wood incense
Accepting RM100 notes only..haha
Twa Pek Kong go global..currently accepting Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar and American Dollar too
The VIPs..
Wondering what this plate for and what is written on it
Start performing even before the procession started..
Good balancing skills
Looi Por Hor Huat 24 Thean Koon (24 Heaven Guards)
The Grand Float Procession:
Super mini float carrying 3 little cute girls
Chingay, a form of performance to pay respect to Twa Peh Kong and other deities
Devotees carrying the Na Zha statue sitting on the sedan chair
Dragon boat carrying Choy San (State Government Float)
The 24 Heaven Guards floats (made from lorry..haha)
Saw this last December in Chingay parade, remember?
Random float
The Eight Immortal (Journey to the West drama - Sun Wukong friends)
Futuristic huh??
Choy San (God of Wealth) giving out sweets to the crowd along the procession
Temple replica on the float
Na Zha statue with Twa Peh Kong statue in the background
Beautiful Floats
Closer View...not sure what is this deity, maybe is Goddess of Mazu
The Nine Emperors' float
Sea theme float (see that barracuda?)
Two tiger guarding the float
Siamese Buddha
Not sure what is this deities too..anyone good in Mandarin?
Bearing the deity spirit along the procession
Cute little cubs
Hei Bai Wu Shang (Hokkien call Tua Peh and Ji Peh) join the procession
Taiwan Na Zha's costume
Pictures of various floats
The main float bearing the century old sedan chair which seldom on display
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