Chap Goh Meh Celebration at Toong Wah Cave Temple on Feb 17, 2011

The Toong Wah Cave Temple again celebrates the Chap Goh Meh with prayers for good luck. The ceremony started at 11am with about 50 worshipers present.

Master Cheong preparing himself to go on trance









Video Clip 1:



Video Clip 2:

Chinese New Year Countdown at Toong Wah cave Temple on 2nd February 2011

Wishing all readers: "Gong Xi Fa Cai" and "新年快乐". May the year of rabbit brings joy, peace, prosperity and good health to one and all.

Lion dance performance to celebrate the start of year of rabbit

This is the second time I participated in the Chinese New Year countdown at the Tong Wah Cave temple near the Lost World of Tambun. About 100 people turned up to offer their prayers and to usher the year of Rabbit.

Master Cheong (left) preparing the altar for prayers





Some of the giant joss sticks offered for prayers



The cave is located about 60 meters above the ground. Many young and old made their way to the top of the hill. It is a destiny to reach the top of the hill.

Some well wishers offered their prayers by lighting candle

Waiting for the higlight ... the lion dance performance

There were lion dance performance and burning of giant joss sticks by well wishers and believers. Three types of joss stick at a cost ranging from as low as RM39 to as high as RM268.

Paying respect to the gods



At the stroke of 12 midnight, the joss sticks were lighted. There were also fire crackers and fireworks display.

Committee members busy checking name list of well wishers



Mr. Chang, one of the committee members calling out names of well wishers to get ready to light up the giant joss sticks

Me and my daughter Sharon, is getting ready to light up the giant joss sticks

Well wishers lighting up their joss sticks to offer their prayers

The lion dance troupe then offer their prayers to the gods before they used their creativity to produce chinese characters using mandarin oranges.

One of the creative designs made from mandarin oranges which symbolises good fortune

Here's the four digit given by the gods for well wishers to try their luck

Lighting giant joss stick to mark the beginning of new year and pray for prosperity and good health


Wishing Master Cheong Good Health, Prosperity and longevity



The whole ceremony took about 1 hour to complete. By 1am most the people were seen leaving the temple.

Prof. Karl Wagner visits Toong Wah Cave Temple in Ipoh

During his visit to Malaysia again in December, my PhD supervisor Prof. Karl Wagner took the opportunity to come to Ipoh and spent a night here. It was to celebrate my success in obtaining my PhD degree recently during the 9th OUM Convocation, which he was unable to attend due to work commitment.



We had good Bean Sprout Chicken and Yong Tau Fu. This has been one of the main attractions for him to come to Ipoh. Before he left, he visited the Toong Wah Cave Temple which was located near the Lost World of Tambun. This was his second visit to this temple as it was located 100 m above.



During his visit, w have good discussion on the joint research that we plan to do. We are also planning to write a book to share our discovery.

Tong Wah Cave Temple @ Tambun Celebrates 138th Anniversary

The cave temple located 100m above ground

The entrance to the cave temple

The Tong Wah Cave Temple located near Tambun in Ipoh celebrated its 138th anniversary yesterday. The cave, which was founded in 1872, was thought by many archaeologists to be more than 250 million years old.

Dato' Rosnah Kassim delivering her speech

The video clips of the speech by Dato' Rosnah are as follows:

Part 1:



Part 2:



The cave temple, which is located 100m above ground and 500m away from the Lost of Tambun, is visible from the main road leading to Tanjong Rambutan.

Dato' Seri Ahmad Husni delivering his speech

The video clips of Dato' Seri Husni's speech are as follows:

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:



The function was attended by over 800 people. Also present were the Minister of Finance (II) and Member of Parliament for Tambun, Dato' Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and State Assemblyman for Ulu Kinta, Dato' Rosnah Kassim.

Dato Rosnah meeting members of the public whoh have come to celebrate the 138th anniversary of Tong Wah Cave Temple

Launching the anniversary celebration by Dato' Seri Ahmad Husni and Dato' Rosnah together with temple committee chairman, Mr. Lee

The objective of the function was to raise fund for the development and expansion of the Buddhist Meditation Centre located at the foothill of the cave.

Dato' Seri Husni meeting members of the public who have attended the celebration

Temple Association Chairman, Mr. Lee, said that the Tong Wah Cave temple was founded by Liew Tong Sen in the 1870s. Several buddhist monks used to stay and do their meditation there. Several philanthropists include Leong Sin Nam has provided funds in the early stages to help develop the temple. Its strategic location and also its long history can become a tourist attraction for the state of Perak. He welcome any individual or organization to help expand and develop the temple.

The burning of the giant joss stick

During her speech at the function, Dato Rosnah congratulated the temple committee for having successfully organized the functions. She hopes that everyone regardless of their religious beliefs can live harmoniously and peacefully and contribute towards the development of the nation.

Dato' Seri Husni with some of the committee members of Tong Wah Cave Temple

Dato' Seri Ahmad Husni in his speech also congratulated the temple's committee on their 138th anniversary celebration. He said he was very happy to be invited to the occasion. As MP of Tambun, he will provide assistance to the temple committee to ensure that the Tong Wah Cave Temple will become not only a place for the buddhist to meditate and offer prayers but also as a tourist attraction.

Group photo with members of the Lion Dance from Tat Choi Primary School

During the function he contributed RM20,000 to temple committee to help fund its development plan. He also said that as MP of Tambun, he will always be with Tong Wah Tong committee.

Video clip showing the announcement on the RM20,000 allocation given by Dato' Seri Husni to Tong Wah Cave Temple:



Part of donors who have come to celebrate

Dr Richard Ng, the Director of OUM, with Dato' Seri Husni and Dato' Rosnah

Members of the Line Dancers

During the functions, more than RM5,000 were collected from the bidding of the giant joss stick and also from the generous donors. There was also lucky draw and karaoke held during the function.

Chatting with the Line Dancers from Tat Choi Primary School

Dato' Seri Husni shaking hands with Jun Hoong, whom he has given advice on future education

Group photo for remembrance

Group photo with the Tong Wah Cave Temple committee

The function which began at 7.30pm with the national anthem song "Negaraku" ended at 11.00pm.

Members of the Tong Wah Cave Temple committee lining up to give Dato' Seri Husni a grand send off

Chinese New Year Eve Countdown 13 Feb 2010

On the eve of Chinese New Year 13th Feb 2010, approximately 150 people gathered at the Tong Wah Cave temple to celebrate the countdown. The occasion also the burning of giant joss sticks by worshipers and well wishers.





Many came with their family members to offer prayers to the Lord of the Land, the guardian of the temple. There were also lion dance being performed at the foot of the hill before performing in the cave located 155 steps above.



By 11.00pm, the names of donors and worshipers were called to collect their sticks dipped in kerosene to be used to light up the giant joss sticks.



At 11.45pm sharp, the giant joss sticks were burned. It was then followed by the lion dance performance. Fire crackers were lighted up at 12.00am to mark the start of the year of Tiger.





Mandarin oranges donated by well wishers were given away by the lion dance. By 12.45am, everyone started to descend and travel back to their destinations.



According to Mr. Chang, who is one of the committee members of temple, this is the first time that they received huge support from the public in terms of donation and number of giant joss sticks.







The temple opens daily from 9.00am till 6.30pm. For further information, kindly contact Mr. Chang at 016-5186178