7th Lunar Month: Tian Shou Tang Lu Zu Gong

Visited the Tian Shou Tang Lu Zu Gong (天寿堂吕祖宫) at 9 Lorong 25 Geylang today. The Hakka temple was crowded with devotees conducting prayers, paying respects, and making offerings of food, joss sticks, and paper products. A lot of life and activity.

I chatted with several temple volunteers. Day 12 of the 7th Lunar Month (today, 9 August) is one of their key prayer dates, because it was set by the master (shi fu) of the present abbess.

I was fascinated by the unique paper products which were continuously put to the fire. “Trees” of money, “waterfalls” of gold and silver, bags of clothes - all to be burned to one’s loved ones in another realm, a fulfilment of duty.

A very meaningful visit to a historic temple.

7th Lunar Month: Pek Kio Market & Food Centre

I was passing by the Pek Kio area on Wednesday evening (3 August) when I chanced upon this 7th Lunar Month festival under a tent next to Block 44 Owen Road and Pek Kio Market & Food Centre.

I chatted with a couple of the organisers. According to them, the festival has been organised by stallholders of the market and food centre for at least 50 years.

The festival takes place on the 5th and 6th day of the 7th Lunar Month every year (2 and 3 August this year). Salvation prayers are held on the first day, while the second day is handed over to a banquet dinner and Hokkien opera.

The festival site had three parts - the altars, the dinner tables, and an opera stage.

The altars allowed devotees to pay respects to Tua Pek Kong and the Great Emperor Earth Official (Di Guan Da Di).

The organisers were happy to be able to resume their normal schedule this year, after two years of social distancing measures. They invited me to return next year.

7th Lunar Month: Block 34 Upper Cross Street

Teochew Street Association 7th Lunar Month Festival, Block 34 Upper Cross Street.