Thomas TanThere was a real carnival atmosphere at the 1Malaysia Chap Goh Meh Carnival 2012 held at the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Dong Zen Buddhist Temple in Jenjarom, Selangor recently.
The carnival, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, other cabinet ministers and dignitaries caused excitement and brought this small village town to a standstill.
Tens of thousands of locals and visitors present came not only to enjoy an evening of cultural and musical extravaganza but also to welcome and greet the VIP guests.
The carnival was organised jointly by Barisan Nasional Selangor, MCA and FGS Dong Zen Buddhist Temple to celebrate Chap Goh Meh, the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days and Chap Goh Meh (the fifteenth night) is celebrated by the Chinese community with joy and excitement to mark the end of the festivities.
The FGS Dong Zen Buddhist Temple stands on two acres of land donated by a local in Jenjarom, a new village located between Klang and Banting in Selangor. It is famous for its beautiful and colourful decorations, red lanterns and flowers sprawling across the landscape. Its annual lantern and flower festival had drawn million of tourists from across the country, including from Singapore and Taiwan.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the temple in 2007.
CJMY
Jimmy Tan
