Nine Emperor Gods Festival

It was the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. and this is the last day of celebration by the taoist on the descend of the nine emperor diety. so on this day the devotees will gather to send the nine emperor gods back to heaven by waterway. terry and family invited me to go see the procession and it was indeed an awesome experience.

Arrived at the kim san tample in siglap at 7 plus in the evening, finding a place to park the car was not easy, there were so many people gathered there. there were lion dance troops and even dragon dance, it's was kelly's first time watching the dragon dance troop...
While the dragon dance troop was performing, suddenly this joss stick urn burst into flames!! probably because of the amount of burning joss sticks in it.. but everyone seemed calm and it's supposed to be an expected occurence, i think it symbolises wealth - HUAT!! people started crowding around the flame and taking photos with it..
Devotees in white and yellow attire. Ritual going on to get the procession started, it's a procession to bring the nine emperor gods to the sea side where it can return back to heaven after it's 9 days stay on earth. Nine days ago, there was a similar procession to welcome the god from the seaside, but that event was not as crowded as this.
There was even chinese opera show for the gods, but i didn't managed to catch the performance by the troopers, this shot was taken during part of the ritual, the troopers were praying to the gods together with the rest of the devotees
Saw this uncle painting his face backstage and i thought it's a nice shot to capture him, because we seldom get a chance to see a scene like that
After that i found a younger performer and felt that this shot was even better!! his face totally captured my attention with the thick make up. really reminded me of the movie by leslie cheung, farewell to my concubine. This is my favourite photo for this event!
After the ritual and the praying, it's time to bring the gods out of the temple and start the journey to the sea, the gods are placed in beautiful wooden sedans carried by 4 person, the sedans have to be rocked from side to side while it's being transported. It's a very tiring process to carry the sedans as they have to rock and RUN, so tiring that they have to switch people from time to time as frequently as 1 to 2 mins, Here's terry carrying the sedan!
Everyone then took the coach to east coast park where the next part of the procession will carry out by the beach. There were so many people already waiting by the beach, there was even a mobile stage set up where people were entertained by some performers just like the lunar 7th month.
A very elaborated stage was set up right at the beach, lots of yellow lanterns hung up, ritual tables, steps, pa system, flood lights etc...
Devotees preparing for the final send off started to place candles and joss sticks on the beach, it was a beautiful sight with all the burning candles by the sea
Arrival of the dragon boat, this boat was HUGE, for something that's made of paper. I've seen paper cars, and mansions at funerals but this was the first time i'm seeing a boat... and it wil be towed into the sea later on to be burnt...
After waiting for half an hour or so, the sedans arrived, and the gods are rocked and transported to the main stage where the final ritual will be conducted, everyone crowded around the stage are now holding joss sticks and candles in their hands, i was so afraid that i will be burnt by them because i was standing right in front of them.
It's time to send the gods, the dragon boat is pushed into the sea and lit, as the towboat pulls the boat into sea, the boat started to be engulfed in the huge ball of fire, drifting further and further out into the sea, symbolising the gods departing fram a waterway..
Event ended, devotees placed the candles and joss sticks in their hands onto the beach front and it created a wonderful site by the beach! .. so now it feels like mid autumn, when we were young it was only during mid autumn that we get to play with candles and place them in formations like this.
I was glad that i went for the event, it was an eyeopener esp when you see terry carrying the sedan.. haha ... ok hungry .. time for supper!!