Hungry Ghost Festival Send-Off

The Bukit Mertajam, Penang Hungry Ghost effigies or Phor Tor holds the proud record of being the biggest in Malaysia. It's so big that part of the effigies needed to be deliver separately and assemble on site.

I was there for the sending off ceremony few years back and managed to view and experience the spectacular event.

The helper climbing up to removed the Kuan Yin Deity.

A closer view shows how big it was. I have lost the send off photos and I will show some from others location.

The sending off event at Cintra Street, Georgetown Penang. As the devotees carried the effigies for the sending off.

Another from Muntri Street junction, Georgetown Penang.

At Lorong Chulia, Georgetown Penang.

And the Grand Send off.

The one and only one I managed to attend this year was in Langkawi, Kedah. It's held just in front of Bintang Emas office in Taman Langkawi.

And the sending off begins.

A grand send off...

Hungry Ghost Festival Flashback

Flashback of the Hungry Ghost Festival, my All Time favorite Festival.

The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated by the Chinese comunity during the seven lunar month. 

It's the month where all the Hell break loose, where there's belief that the Hell's gate been open for all those spirit to roam the world for one full month.

It's mainly been celebrated in counties such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan etc.

During the festival, there's always a main character for the event which is called Tai Su Yah, Phor Tor or the God of Haddes.

In Malaysia, the Phor Tor deities is often colourfull.

Some of the Hell's Guard.

Visitor will always found these two deities alongside the Phor Tor. It's the Tua Pek and Ji Pek, the name might be vary depends on the locations and the countries.

Was lucky enough to managed to visit numbers of the festival in Penang during my days as a student. For me every location have their own speciality and uniqness.

Few years back, I remember there's a double Hungry Ghost Festival in the particular year, where the months accour twice a year. And I came across a very unique and never been seen before Hungry Ghost Festival road procession. As this Hungry Ghost Festival month is always consider a taboo, it's really amazing to see this on the road.

The deities paying respect in front of the Famous Kuan Yin Teng temple in Georgetown.

The Phor Tor paying respect in front of the temple.

The main float for this unique festival.

During the road procession, we stop over at numerous temple and Phor Tor tent to pay our respect.

End of the day, I felt very glad and happy to join and record this very unique festival. It's obviously very nice experience for me. Once in a life time for a Hungry Ghost Festival fan like me.

Haroo Korean Restaurant, Langkawi

Haroo Haroo Korean restaurant is a family-run restaurant located in a small alley just opposite The Underwater World / The Zon Duty Free.

It also has another newer branch located in Kuah Town, on the same row of shop lot with Azio Duty Free.

Instructions/guideline on how to eat the signature Korean dish Bibimbap.

Bibimbap, basically is a Rice dish topped with tons of vegetable, beef slices and fried Egg.

Bibimbap after topping it with the dressing sauce.

The Korean Beef Stew.

Pajeon, another signature Korean dish. It's basically a Green Onion pancake, with other ingredient such as seafood etc.

And lastly, the Grape Drink, it taste like a sparking wine without alcohol plus few slices of grapes.