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Nine Emperor Gods Send-Off Ceremony

Nine Emperor Gods send-off ceremony
1. disciples carrying the urns of the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu to the Kinta River bank

Similar to ten days ago when the Nine Emperor Gods, Goddess Dou Mu and the Legendary Third Prince were received from the Kinta River, the send off ceremony of the deities was a reversed procession, with disciples carrying the deities in sedan chairs from the Tow Boh Keong temple to the bank of Kinta River.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
2. disciples carrying the urns of the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu to the Kinta River bank

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
3. disciples carrying the urns of the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu to the Kinta River bank

If you remember, the deities arrived via waterways and hence, they returned the same way too.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
4. disciples carrying the urns of the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu to the Kinta River bank

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
5. disciples following the procession to the Kinta River bank

As disciples knelt down in reverence either with long joss-sticks in hand or with palms together, Taoist masters chanted prayers for some half an hour before the urns with burning flames, of the Nine Emperor Gods and Goddess Dou Mu, were set off into the river.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
6. disciples converge at the bank of Kinta River to participate in the send-off ceremony of the Nine Emperor Gods, Goddess Dou Mu and Legendary Third Prince

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
7. Taoist masters conducting the ceremony to send off the deities

Disappointingly, unlike the welcome ceremony, this farewell ritual attracted a smaller number of devotees. Perhaps it’s because of the odd time in the morning.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
8. the two urns on sedan chairs ready to be released into Kinta River

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
9. disciples kneel down in devotion during the send-off ceremony

According to Tow Boh Keong Temple’s annual practice, the entourage arrives at the Kinta River by 5.30am, which means the disciples and devotees would have gathered at the temple latest by 5am.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
10. a disciple offering prayers during the send-off ceremony

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
11. the urns are released into Kinta River by Taoist masters to signify the conclusion of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival

And this concludes the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, also known as Vegetarian Festival in Thailand, for this year. See you again. Next year, same time, same place.

Nine Emperor Gods send off ceremony
12. after at least 10 days of vegetarian food, devotees eagerly resume their normal meat diet, especially roast pork

Event: Nine Emperor Gods Send-Off Ceremony
Venue: Kinta River, Ipoh
Date: 3rd October, 2014
Time: 5.30am

for non-Muslims only

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With love

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