The Star, Thursday August 30, 2012

Kajang to host grand Taoist procession

THE Shun Nam Gong Temple Committee Association is organising a procession in conjunction with the birthday of Taoist deity Fazhu Gong and the temple’s 20th anniversary.

The procession will be held on Saturday (Sept 1) at 6pm.

Organising chairman Lee Kee Boon said the procession in Kajang would be the largest in the area.

“This is a joint effort by the temple’s masters for devotees to celebrate the festival together.

The planners: Lee (front, left), master Kan Fatt Seong (front, second from left) and temple chairman Chok Kon Lin (front right) detailing the route of the procession as other temple committee members look on.

 

“This is also the first time we are organising it and members of the public are welcome to join the procession,” he said.

It has taken the temple committee three months to prepare for the procession.

They are expecting more than 800 devotees from other temples and participants of cultural dance groups to join the event.

According to Lee, there will be a series of activities and cultural performances, including lion and dragon dances as well as a fashion parade of ancient dynasty costumes.

The procession will include six floats accompanied by a group of 30 to 50 Chinese mediums.

“We have also invited two groups of Indian mediums to join the procession,” Lee said, adding that he expected a turn-out of about 2,000 people.

The procession will start from the temple in Jalan 3, Taman Pasir Emas, then to the Kajang market before heading back to the temple. The 7km-journey is estimated to take three hours.

There will be ambulances standing by in case of emergencies while Rela members will be managing traffic.

“This event will expose the public and nearby residents to the Taoist culture and practices.

“It is also vital to let the next generation know and understand these practices to preserve the culture and rituals for generations to come,” he said.