Deity (Ma Chor or Mazu) Birthday

9 May 2007 was the birthday of Mazu (23rd of 3rd Lunar Month), more popularly known to the local grannies as Ma Chor Po in Hokkien. And Tian Hock Keng was more commonly known then as Ma Chor Keng. The more common officially known name of Mazu is Tian Hou Niang Niang, one of the many titles bestowed on him by the emperors of China. I did not attend the actual day because of crowd and since it was a week long celebration, I chose the last day to take these pictures.

Legend has it that it would rain on Ma Chor birthday, and guess what it really did, there was a heavy downpour on that day.

This is a view of the temple taken from front, sorry for the distant view cause some people said its not nice to take pictures of deities.

A side view close up of the temple, there is a side door for kids especially to see the tortoises in their containment at the back of the temple.

This is the tortoise containment area. Some people said these tortoises were sent here by the public who found them on the road, drains, houses and gardens. These reptiles will then be sent here and released when there is a festival. You can see some coins in the picture, as some believe its okay to wish for longevity from these creatures.

Hey look, a round shaped tortoise. Freak from nature.

To liven up the celebrations a local opera troupe was employed to entertain the deity. We don’t get to see these nowadays as only the older folks understand whats the dialogue all about because most often dialects are used.

A celebration, free opera show and what else, oh yeah food. But food for this event is kinda limited, I only saw a few stalls there. There is this one stall that sells Tapioca Crackers (Keropok Ubi). These crackers seem to have made a comeback. During my childhood days I usually get these on Hungry Ghost Festival, buy them, then sit comfortable on the grass and watch those free wayangs.

An apam (pancake) baking in session at one of the stalls. These are baked over an open oven, then the owner will turn the pan around to make the pancake be evenly cooked. Usually the main ingredients are sugar and blended peanuts (some version has sweet corn in it). It takes about 5 minutes to cook one. This is the small version of the pancake, there is another stall in Batu Pahat selling the big ones.

Last but not least the fried food. You select these food and then pass them to the owner, he will then fry them up and give you back your selection with their chili paste. This sticks are usually colored to show customers that they are priced differently. No color sticks = RM1.50, green color sticks = RM1.20 while red color sticks are RM1.60.