Tow Boh Keong Temple — Local services in Perak

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is observed in the town of Yishun in Singapore, and also primarily in other Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia by the local Chinese communities. The Nine Emperor Gods Jiǔ Huáng Xīng Jūn / Jiǔ Huáng Da Di (九皇星君/九皇大帝) are the nine sons manifested by Father Emperor Zhou Yu Dou Fu Yuan Jun (斗父周御國王天尊) and Mother of the Big DipperDou Mu Yuan Jun (斗母元君) who holds the Registrar of Life and Death. The worship of Dou Fu Yuan Jun has declined strongly as proper teachings of Taoismdegenerate since being exported out of China. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. However, Dou Fu Yuan Jun is invoked alongside Dou Mu Yuan Jun in Great Dipper Honouring known as Li Dou (禮斗) ceremonies. According To Priest Long Hua, the 35th Generation Leader of Long Shan Men Taoist Sect (Singapore), honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one's life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family.[2]

The term Ye (爺) as in Jiu Huang Ye (九皇爺) loosely translates as "Grandfather", a title worshipers commonly use to bring a more intimate relationship between themselves and the Nine Emperors. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming rebels. Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually sea pirates of the Ming dynasty that plotted to overthrow the Qing dynasty. According to Priest Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the Nine Emperor Gods are actually high-ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues.

The Nine Emperors is formed by the seven stars of the Big Dipper of the North Ursa Major (visible) and two assistant stars (invisible to most people). The Nine Emperor Stars are:

Tan Lang Tai Xing Jun (貪狼太星君)1st Star (Visible) Bayer: α UMaJu Men Yuan Xing Jun (巨門元星君) 2nd Star (Visible) Bayer: β UMaLu Cun Zhen Xing Jun (祿存貞星君) 3rd Star (Visible) Bayer: γ UMaWen Qu Niu Xing Jun (文曲紐星君) 4th Star (Visible) Bayer: δ UMaLian Zhen Gang Xing Jun (玉廉貞綱星君) 5th Star(Visible) Bayer: ε UMaWu Qu Ji Xing Jun (武曲紀星君) 6th Star(Visible) Bayer: ζ UMaPo Jun Guan Xing Jun (破軍關星君) 7th Star (Visible) Bayer: η UMaZuo Fu Da Dao Xing Jun (左輔大道星君) 8th Star (Invisible)You Bi Da Dao Xing Jun (右弼大道星君) 9th Star (Invisible)

On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. Since the arrival of the gods is believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea shore or river to symbolize this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies.

A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration.

The ninth day of the festival is its climax. A procession which draws scores of devotees sends the...

A great place to visit with exhibitions throughout the year. A must visit time during the 9 Emperor Gods Festival that is observed by Ipohites and locals which kicks off on the eve of 9th Lunar month all the way till the 10th day of the month. During the festival , prayers will be held intermitently to invite dieties when devotees will walk a distance from the temple grounds to a site not far away and they will traverse through the city admist bestowing blessings and luck to devotees as the devotees make offerings to the large entourage with decorated floats together with accompanying lion and sometimes dragon dances that passes by. A tradition rich in Chinese culture and folklore that has been passed down for generations. . one not to be missed by the curious traveller. On the 9th day of the festival it culminates with the fire pit crossing and dragon bridge crossing ceremonies. { Note: There will be a night procession this year on the 27th Oct 2017 starting at 7pm in front of the temple on Jalan Tokong. It features a variety of participants with decorative floats, chingay flags, lion and dragon dance, mediums etc etc. The parade will proceed through the city and make its way back to the temple premises.} Exhibits on pottery, books and all kinds at the premises will be on display in conjunction with the festival. A chinese opera that performs in the Cantonese dialect with artists from HongKong and locals will play throughout the duration of the 9 days from 8pm until midnight. At the back portion of the temple premises houses a vegetarian food area with about 30 odd stalls selling a variety of dishes that opens from as early as 7 am for some stalls till the wee hours of the...

The historical 128-year old temple in Ipoh is a fascinated and colorful place to visit during Nine Emperor Gods Festival beginning on the eve of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar every year for nine-day celebration. It is a place for photo taking, religious praying and...