Chap Goh Meh 2013 at Kwan Yin Cave Temple, Ipoh
Valentine's Day falls on the 14 February every year; the Chinese have another day to celebrate love- on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Chap Goh Meh. I don't usually celebrate Chap Goh Meh, often because it's the last day of Chinese New Year, which means that i have to wait til the next year for another round of holidays, good food, family reunion, red packet 'ang pau', non-stop fireworks and little 'casinos'. This year, i decided differently; i went to a Chap Goh Meh celebration in Ipoh. Despite the wet weather, my friends and i had a terrific time, this visit being our first.
After dinner, we drove to the Kwan Yin Cave Temple (Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh) and parked opposite the temple, along the row of shops, for a fee of RM 4 by the local 'jockeys'. It was around 8.30pm when we arrived, not as crowded as i'd expected. 'We're still early,' my friend said. At the entrance, there were stalls selling food and drinks which we decided to buy after our visit. A stage was set up and performers were getting ready. We didn't stay to watch; instead, we walked straight into the temple compound, bidding welcome to a Confucius statue before entering the cave.
A Laughing Buddha sits at the main gate to the cave temple; devotees went to rub its hands and stomach for prosperity and good luck. I was fascinated upon entrance. There were lanterns hung and lotus candles, of large and small sizes, lit and placed on a table. Usually, family names are written on paper tied together with the lanterns and candles. The Kwan Yin statue was at the center. Climbing up a flight of stairs, there were more statues of Kwan Yin, sponsored by devotees. There were rows and rows of them, from big to small. Further at the back, there were the 18 Arhats 'luo han'. The 18 Arhats protect the Buddhist faith and await on Earth for the coming of Maitreya. Interesting art.
We waited for the rain to subside before moving on. There was the 'Wishing Tree', where people write their wishes on a paper and throw it up the tree. The higher, the better. On the ground, there was the human size 'Chinese Chess'. Then, i was at the booth selling oranges and balls. Yes, balls! It is a tradition that single ladies will throw oranges, in hope that the new year will bring them their other half. Nowadays, single men can join in too. I was close to picking up oranges or writing my number on the balls, but in the end, i did neither and let destiny bring my other half.
The temple was bigger than i expected. We continued walking, a snake statue to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Then, we surrounded a tree to tie a knot using thread. It is said that this will improve relationships, be it family or friends. I tied. Not too far, there was a little cave with a stream through it, 12 stones to get across. We were supposed to close our eyes, make a wish, begin with our right foot and complete it to fulfill our wish. It was easier said than done. I closed my eyes and moved onto the first stone; my balance became off and i forgot the 'trail' but my direction and orientation were conscious. Slowly, i did through the 12 stones.
At the end of the compound, another stage was built, and near it, i could see oranges floating in the water. Then, we decided to hike up a hill, unknowing it would be dark, steep and quiet towards the top. Halfway, we were the only group and we decided to wait for more people before pursuing further. We reached the top, enjoyed quickly the night view, then headed back down. We did not expect an exercise coming to this celebration. We went out the same way in; the rain had stopped and it was getting more crowded then. Grabbed a bite, saw the 'Fu Lu Shou' on stage, got an 'ang pau', then we left back.
It was not overly crowded when i was there, the weather cool, and just enough to let me see the floating oranges and learn things. I just love going to cultural events. Being a Chinese, it was my first time experiencing Chap Goh Meh at a temple and with this memorable visit, i'm sure in the next years, i will visit other temples in KL, Penang and wherever i'll be.
*Pictures courtesy of YH. Thanks to my friends for the Chinese translations.
After dinner, we drove to the Kwan Yin Cave Temple (Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh) and parked opposite the temple, along the row of shops, for a fee of RM 4 by the local 'jockeys'. It was around 8.30pm when we arrived, not as crowded as i'd expected. 'We're still early,' my friend said. At the entrance, there were stalls selling food and drinks which we decided to buy after our visit. A stage was set up and performers were getting ready. We didn't stay to watch; instead, we walked straight into the temple compound, bidding welcome to a Confucius statue before entering the cave.
A Laughing Buddha sits at the main gate to the cave temple; devotees went to rub its hands and stomach for prosperity and good luck. I was fascinated upon entrance. There were lanterns hung and lotus candles, of large and small sizes, lit and placed on a table. Usually, family names are written on paper tied together with the lanterns and candles. The Kwan Yin statue was at the center. Climbing up a flight of stairs, there were more statues of Kwan Yin, sponsored by devotees. There were rows and rows of them, from big to small. Further at the back, there were the 18 Arhats 'luo han'. The 18 Arhats protect the Buddhist faith and await on Earth for the coming of Maitreya. Interesting art.
We waited for the rain to subside before moving on. There was the 'Wishing Tree', where people write their wishes on a paper and throw it up the tree. The higher, the better. On the ground, there was the human size 'Chinese Chess'. Then, i was at the booth selling oranges and balls. Yes, balls! It is a tradition that single ladies will throw oranges, in hope that the new year will bring them their other half. Nowadays, single men can join in too. I was close to picking up oranges or writing my number on the balls, but in the end, i did neither and let destiny bring my other half.
The temple was bigger than i expected. We continued walking, a snake statue to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Then, we surrounded a tree to tie a knot using thread. It is said that this will improve relationships, be it family or friends. I tied. Not too far, there was a little cave with a stream through it, 12 stones to get across. We were supposed to close our eyes, make a wish, begin with our right foot and complete it to fulfill our wish. It was easier said than done. I closed my eyes and moved onto the first stone; my balance became off and i forgot the 'trail' but my direction and orientation were conscious. Slowly, i did through the 12 stones.
At the end of the compound, another stage was built, and near it, i could see oranges floating in the water. Then, we decided to hike up a hill, unknowing it would be dark, steep and quiet towards the top. Halfway, we were the only group and we decided to wait for more people before pursuing further. We reached the top, enjoyed quickly the night view, then headed back down. We did not expect an exercise coming to this celebration. We went out the same way in; the rain had stopped and it was getting more crowded then. Grabbed a bite, saw the 'Fu Lu Shou' on stage, got an 'ang pau', then we left back.
It was not overly crowded when i was there, the weather cool, and just enough to let me see the floating oranges and learn things. I just love going to cultural events. Being a Chinese, it was my first time experiencing Chap Goh Meh at a temple and with this memorable visit, i'm sure in the next years, i will visit other temples in KL, Penang and wherever i'll be.
*Pictures courtesy of YH. Thanks to my friends for the Chinese translations.
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