Thomas Tan
The 38-year old Leng Eng Tian Khiew Ong Tai Tay Temple in SS9A/4, Sungai Way in Petaling Jaya is ready to move to a brand new and bigger temple in SS9A/5, less than two kilometers away on this Saturday July 7, 2012.
Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Temple or ‘Kao Wong Yeh’ by devotees, the construction of the new RM5 million temple at the junction of Jalan SS9A/5 and SS9A/2 is under way with the temple interior including main altar and prayer hall to be completed in time to receive the deities from the old temple.
To mark this historic occasion, a grand procession will be held from the old temple to the new temple through the surrounding streets of Sungai Way, temple committee chairman Yap Yit Leong said this at a press conference to announce the temple relocation and hand-over agreement ceremony with Taipan Focus on June 20 at Jaya 33 shopping mall in Petaling Jaya.
The developer Taipan Focus offered the new site at no charge in exchange for the current site which has been earmarked for development. In the spirit of goodwill, the developer also contributed generously towards the building of the new temple.
More than a thousand people including devotees and spectators are expected on Saturday.
There will be a street procession from the temple ground to the new site with the deities taking to the streets and accompanied by mediums in deep trance and devotees carrying the statues of resident deities, dragon and lion dance troupes performances, flag bearers and a host of cultural and musical performances, including the international award-winning 24-Festive drum performers and big mask performers or “Tai Thow Low” from Johor.
The procession which will take about two to three hours will begin at 11.00 am from the old temple grounds in Jalan SS9A/4 and will pass through the surrounding streets of Jalan SS9A/15, Jalan SS9A/1, Jalan SS9/2, Jalan SS9/1, Jalan SS9A/20, Jalan SS9A/8, Jalan SS9A/2, Jalan SS9A/12, Jalan SS9A/17 before turning into Jalan SS9A/1, Jalan SS9A/2 and ending at the new temple at the junction of Jalan SS9A/5 and SS9A/2.
Apart from the main altar and prayer hall which will be ready on Saturday, the new temple occupying 32,000 square feet of land has two pagodas, a hostel and a canteen for devotees which are expected to be completed in September this year in time for the upcoming annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebration which will be held from October 15 to 23, 2012.
Funds for the temple construction were raised through fund-raising events and public donations including RM50,000 from Selangor state government.
Yap said that the total cost for the temple building has escalated from the original RM3 million to RM5 million due to rising costs and other factors. The building structure alone cost RM2.5 million and the balance for materials sourced from overseas and artisans from China to hand-sculpture the temple’s designs and carvings and to paint on temple walls.
“We still need a further RM900,000 to meet the cost and hope to meet the shortfall through public donations during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in October,” he said.
For details of the procession and those who want to make donations toward the construction of the new temple, call the temple at 03-7874 3509 or temple chairman Yap Yit Leong at 012-2299309.
Jimmy Tan
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