JB Chingay Procession 2013 - Part 1

Flew to JB on 1/3/13 morning & Reggie picked me up at the Senai International Airport. This is my first time attended JB Chingay / 游神. I was surprised to find out that JB Chingay wasn't as what I thought, ie people parading giant flagpoles! In fact, it was more of a celebration of different chinese clans come together. Some people might take it as religious festival but I take it as an eye opener what M'sia has to offer, an interesting event that the government gazetted it as a national chinese heritage in 2012.

 Can't help but to wonder where those people coming out from to throng the streets for hours under scorching hot sun! This festival usually takes place on the 19th/20th day of the first lunar month and last for 4 days. The first day would be cleaning the street, 2nd day would be the 5 deities coming out from the Johor Bahru Old Chinese temple and "meet up" at the location which is about 2km away. The 3rd day is the climax of the parade at night around JB streets for about 7/8 km or in Chinese called 圣駕巡游 which last till 1.00am easily. For the final day, the 5 deities would be returning back to the JB Old Temple. For the Johorian chinese, Chinese New Year is not over after Chap Goh Meh but only considered over after the JB Chingay.

 It is believed that JB Chingay will bring peace, harmony & prosperity to the JB community.

After checked-in to the hotel and a quick freshen up, we quickly walked our way to JB Old Temple. Alas, we were a bit late ! 1 or 2 of the 5 deities already started the journey from the JB Old Temple.