View events 2010~2012

Time: 7pm to midnight

Location: Chew Jetty and Hillway Road (Penang Hill) Ayer Itam

Time: 9pm to midnight

Tel: 012-4126809

The 8th day of Chinese New Year, is Ti Kong Seh (Jade Emperor God's birthday) is celebrated on a big scale by the in Penang, especially by the Hokkien community, since Penang has the most number of Hokkiens. Hence, it is also called the “Hokkien New Year”.

According to legends and oral history, the Ti Kong celebration started more than 1000 years ago in China, where a Hokkien province was viciously attacked by evil demon. Some of the people managed to escape and hid themselves in a sugar cane plantation. On the 9^th day of the Lunar Calendar, the attack stopped and the survivors thanked the Jade Emperor God for protecting them.

At Chew Jetty, it is customary for the residences to bring food as offerings and share them on a long able.  On top of that, thousands of Hokkien families around George Town will set up prayer tables offering food, fruits, liquor and sugarcane stalks to the Jade Emperor God. They pray for a lucky and prosperous year ahead. After the prayers, the devotees will eat the food for luck.

The celebration can be observed through out Penang especially in George Town, Chew Jetty and Penang Hill Ti Kong Temple.  The celebration starts from 9.00pm to 12 midnight.