PJ residents celebrate Chap Goh Meh night of love at Taman Jaya park

Throwing mandarin oranges into the lakes at Taman Jaya lakes during Chap Goh Meh night — First-timers (L-R) Dorita, Merun and Catherine throwing their mandarin oranges into the lakes at Taman Jaya park during Chap Goh Meh night with hope of getting a good husband.

This year Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) held a “Gong Xi Fa Cai” and “Chap Goh Meh” celebrations together at Taman Jaya Park on March 5, 2015.

The recreational park was abuzz with multi-cultural performances with thousands of people from all races gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Goat and Chap Goh Meh night in harmonious and joyous mood.

Among those present included MBPJ deputy mayor Puasa Md Taib, Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Selatan Hee Loy Sian, Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San, Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, Damansara Utama state assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin, MBPJ councillors, local community leaders and representatives from residents associations and Rukun Tetangga.

Mandarin oranges inscribed with contatc numbers — Dorita writes her mobile phone number on the mandarin oranges before throwing into the lakes.

The celebrations highlight was the traditional throwing of mandarin oranges inscribed with names and phone numbers into the lakes by unmarried girls or young women with the belief that the fruits will be scooped up by hopeful bachelors who would become their life partners.

While many young females were seen throwing mandarin oranges into the lakes in hopes of getting a boyfriend or husband, a number of others were also throwing for the fun and the atmosphere.

Men scooping up mandarin oranges floating on the lake.

Among the ladies spotted throwing mandarin oranges into the lakes were HR executive Dorita Lourdes and account assistants Merun and Catherine See who were all singles.

They said they were taking part in the tradition for the first time and hoped that their act of throwing mandarin oranges into the lakes will bring them luck in getting good husbands.

Some men could be seen moving along the lakes armed with scoop nets scooping up mandarin oranges floating on the lakes.