Kek Lok Si temple lights up to usher in Year of the Dragon

121 year-old Kek Lok Si temple and dubbed the largest Buddhist temple across South East Asia was illuminated with thousands of light bulbs to usher in the prosperous Year of the Dragon.

With fireworks set to brighten up the skies around 8pm, many onlookers and photography enthusiasts were spotted making the beeline up to the temple and some even chose a hill as the perfect place to capture a nice shot of the fireworks.

Among those who attended the lighting ceremony was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, temple abbot Rev Seck Jit Heng and other invited guests.

Spotted at the scene was a couple, Chye Lee and Poh Sim who made their way to Kek Lok Si all the way from Butterworth. Both of them attend the lighting ceremony every year without a miss.

“This is a significant lighting ceremony and I hope our wish will come true after making our wish earlier in the temple”, said Chye Lee among the seas of people at the temple. 

Poh Sim also added the lighting for this year was much nicer and will attract a greater crowd during the Chinese New Year festivities.

Komunitikini also found that a giant dragons were put at up at the temple to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

Another local who was making their beeline to the temple was Steven, accompanied by his two children and shared his most ‘unforgettable’ moment with them watching the fireworks which brightened up the sky from miles away.

“The fireworks were absolutely fantastic from the view in the vicinity of this area”. 

“I will be coming here again on the 8th day of Chinese New Year to avoid bumper to bumper jam crawl of the initial days”, said Steven.