Ampang Nine Emperor Celebration

         I know this posting is a bit late, it has been almost a month since the visit to the Nine Emperor Celebration in Ampang, but I have been busy, trying to put some food on the table. I was lucky to be there on the 6th day of the celebration as the temple has some ceremony going on on that day.

The main altar at the Ampang temple. 

Upon entering the main prayer hall, I was greeted by the strong scent of incense, something you expect with thousands of devotees thronging the temple burning thousands of thousands of joss stick. 

Smoke gets in your eyes.

Praying for better life, healthy life, good money and good look perhaps.

In the main prayer hall, devotees kneeled down and murmured something to the divine. Each asking the divine to bless them and their family for the coming year. Offerings are also given to the divine, hoping that the divine will be happy and answer all their prayers.

Praying with all her heart and soul seeking divine blessing. 

Offering to the divine.

As the sun began to set, the crowd grew bigger. 

More and more devotees thronged the temple as the sun began to set

By night fall, the ceremony to fest the divines began. The ceremony were presided by three Taoist monks and the whole ceremony was accompanied by the Chinese traditional music.

Mortal guards were at the scene to guard the main prayer hall. Devotees are not allowed in during this time

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Devotees getting ready for the ceremony.

 

Taoist monk in action.

Chanting and chanting.

Prayers and chants were accompanied by the traditional music.

This boy caught my attention as he watched the whole ceremony earnestly.

Even though I do not believe in the existence of higher being(s) dictating the movement of objects and "fate" in time and space, what I saw was having faith alone itself is good enough to provide hopes to many. Some may hope for good money, better life while some may just have a simple plain wish such as healthy life for them and their love one. No matter what one wishes and prays for, praying for divine intervention is just like having new hopes again and it is hopes that keep everyone going. Overall, it was a good, educational and eye opener trip to the Ampang Nine Emperor Celebration and I definitely look forward to come again next year.