KUCHING: The arrival of the Mazu deity’s divided spirit statue from the Mazu Ancestral Temple in Meizhou Island, China, brought cultural and spiritual significance to the city today (May 7) during a welcoming ceremony and procession organised by the Kuching Hokkien Association.
The sacred statue arrived at the VIP Arrival Hall of Kuching International Airport at about 11:20 am, where it was formally received by the association led by its president, Datuk Seri Richard Wee Liang Huat.
Wee said the statue was donated by the Mazu Ancestral Temple in Meizhou for placement at the new Kuching Hokkien Association Mazu Temple in Muara Tebas, which is scheduled for official opening in October this year.
“In conjunction with the construction of our new temple at Muara Tebas, the Mazu Temple in Meizhou has very kindly donated a statue for our temple.
“So today is basically the reception of the statue before it is taken in a float procession to Muara Tebas,” he said.
The statue, measuring about two feet tall, was escorted in the ‘Heavenly Empress Mazu Procession Festival’, themed ‘Ten Temples Pilgrimage • Unity in Ten Stops’.
Accompanied by traditional drum troupes, lion dance performances and flag bearers, the ceremonial convoy travelled across Kuching, stopping at several temples for incense exchange rituals, prayers and blessings before heading to Muara Tebas.
The pilgrimage route included Sungai Apong Sheing Seng Temple, Bintawa Heng Ann Thian Miau Temple, Petanak Tiong Hock Kiong, Ah Ma Hu Temple, Wisma Kuching Hing Ann Thien Hoe Kong, Kuching Siew San Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple, Hiang Tiang Siang Ti Temple, Kuching Hainan Association Hin Ho Bio Temple and Hong San Si Temple.
Wee said the association would also hold a simple ceremony on May 9 in conjunction with Mazu’s birthday celebration, while the official opening ceremony of the temple is planned for October.
Meanwhile, the association noted that the temple has seen a steady increase in devotees since January, making this year’s Mazu birthday celebration especially meaningful as its first official observance at the new temple site.
It also called on devotees and members of the public to continue supporting the development of the Muara Tebas temple through donations and contributions.
