Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods (according to lunar calendar - Sept/Oct)

This festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth moon in the Chinese lunar calendar. The Nine Emperor Gods are spiritual mediums believed to dwell in the stars in heaven. 

    On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the Deities hold a ceremony to welcome the gods. The rituals during the festival acts as a channel between celestial beings and humans, for the salvation and protection of mankind.

     The Gods are believed to travel through the waterways so processions are held from temples to the seashore or river. The celebration lasts for 9 days. Many devotees throng to the temples to offer prayers and follow a vegetarian diet during this period. On the 9^th day ends usually with a fire-walking ritual. In Penang temples are crowded and streets are lined with stalls selling praying items of vegetarian food.