Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Hindu family marks Jade Emperor’s birthday
PENANG: A Hindu family here has been taking part in a long-practised tradition among the Chinese.
S. Ganesan, 32, and his family members joined their Chinese friends in celebrating Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s birthday) which started at midnight yesterday.
Festive mood: Ganesan (fourth from left) and his relatives celebrating Thni Kong Seh at his Jalan Solok Sungai Pinang home in Penang last night. The Hokkien-speaking Indian family also observes other Chinese celebrations like the Hungry Ghost and Mid-Autumn festivals.
Ganesan, a clinic employee, and his siblings Kalayselvi, 31, and Sugendren, 21, have been offering prayers to the Jade Emperor since young. The practice began early in their lives when their family lived in a Chinese neighbourhood at the Lee Jetty in Weld Quay.
Even after moving from the clan jetties about 10 years ago, Kalayselvi said her family’s “Chinese traditions” never changed, although some people had tried to get them to stop practising Chinese customs and praying to Chinese deities.
“We cannot stop after so many years. Ganesan, especially, is a serious believer in Chinese deities and he strictly observes Chinese customs.
“We have neighbours who think we are strange. We also offer prayers on the first and 15th day of each lunar month,” she said at Ganesan’s home in Jalan Solok Pinang.
The Hokkien-speaking Indian family also observes other Chinese celebrations like the Hungry Ghost and Mid-Autumn festivals, and they also pray to the Goddess of Mercy.
