GOD OF PROSPERITY WELCOMES GUESTS AT SWEE NYET KEUNG TEMPLE

GUA MUSANG, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Chinese New Year festivities at the 600-year-old Swee Nyet Keung Temple, also known as Tokong Mek, in Kampung Pulai here were enlivened by the presence of the ‘God of Prosperity’ or Chai Shen Ye to welcome visitors.

Temple staff Cheaw Yee How, 42, said he has donned the costume to portray the deity for the past 12 years, volunteering for the role every first day of the Lunar New Year.

"The temple provides the full costume and accessories to facilitate my duty in greeting the guests. I enjoy it and am always excited to meet the crowd, who are clearly happy to see Chai Shen Ye.

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"I am at the temple from 8.30 am to 11.30 am on the first day of the New Year. After that, I return home to spend time with my family," he told reporters when met at Kampung Pulai here today.

He added that he greets visitors, distributes ang pow packets (red envelopes) and offers blessings as soon as they arrive at the house of worship before they begin their religious rituals.

"Every year, we receive sponsorship and donations from the public for the festivities. These contributions are placed in ang pow packets, and we have allocated over 1,000 packets for distribution to guests," he said.

Swee Nyet Keung Temple Beautification Unit deputy chairman Chan Kim Lan said the presence of the fully costumed deity is a major attraction at the temple, which is the oldest in the state.

"The friendly nature of the Chai Shen Ye character, who knows how to win over the hearts of the people, is well-liked by the visitors," she said.

Meanwhile, a visitor from Kuala Lumpur, Pauline Chew Phik Sim, 51, said she seized the opportunity to bring her pet to the temple to meet the God of Prosperity.

"Every year, I visit my in-laws here, so I also brought along my pet poodle to visit the temple," she said.

-- BERNAMA