Temple welcomes all in honour of flower deity

GEORGE TOWN: For the first time in 214 years, an award-winning Chinese temple in the city celebrated the birthday of one of its deities with the public.

Enshrined in the Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple, the deity Hua Gu, also known as the God of Flowers in Chinese folklore, is believed to have the power to bless devotees seeking good relationships and life partners.

A stream of devotees thronged the temple at Lebuh King here to pay homage to Hua Gu on her birthday on Thursday.

Among them was Teh Lay Nah, 66, who was dressed in an all-red outfit. She brought five sets of offerings for Hua Gu.“I’m praying for my four sons, aged 26 to 40, two of whom are still single. I hope they can find a good partner and have a happy family.

“I also seek good health and happiness for me and my husband,” she said.Among her offerings were floral water, begonia powder and folded paper flowers.

Medical sales representative Vickie Lee, 31, also came to pray to the deity with the hope that she could find a soulmate.

“This is the first time I had gotten to know of this deity.

“Besides seeking a good boyfriend who is able to communicate and share interests with me, I also prayed for a successful career.

“After the prayers, I felt more relieved and hopeful,” she said.The temple’s vice-chairman Datuk Lio Chee Yeong said it was the first time the temple had opened its doors to the public for Hua Gu’s birthday since its construction in 1810.

“Although Hua Gu has been with us for many years, it is believed that her spirit only descended upon and became enshrined under the altar about five years ago while the temple was being restored.

“Since then, we have been showered with many good offerings, such as a donation of pots of flowers planted for over 30 years by a family in March last year.

“Then in April last year, mediums at the temple relayed a message from Hua Gu that she would like to have her own incense burner,” he said, adding that it is the only temple in the state that worships Hua Gu.

Temple chairman Foo Yen Chow said devotees had arrived at the temple two hours before it opened at 9am.

“We did not expect such a response. Not only did the devotees pray for partners; some also sought lasting marriages and relationships.

“Next year, we hope to organise it on a grander scale to promote the cultural heritage here,” she said.

The Thai Pak Koong (Tua Pek Kong in Hokkien) temple was dedicated to its namesake deity, the God of Prosperity.In 2021, the temple won the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The temple’s restoration project also won the George Town World Heritage Incorporated’s Heritage Recognition and Awards 2020 in the categories of conservation, enhancement and adaptation.

The temple’s RM3mil rebuilding and conservation started in 2017 and took 32 months to complete.