7^th Month Festival

When the Sheng Hong Deity was enshrined in Koo Chye Ba rural village in 1938, there was a growing number of devotees worshipping the Deity.   In 1956, villager Tan Kim San (陈金山) raised funds to rebuild the Temple. In the 1950s-60s, the Temple became a center of culture and faith where villagers gathered to offer prayers for good fortune, safety and harmony for the family.   It was also a meeting place for village folks to interact with each other. The Temple hosted several events annually. The Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节 7th Lunar Month Festival) was held since 1967 where it had more than 300 members.   The membership fee then was $36 per annum.  This annual event was held on the 15^th day of 7^th Lunar month.  Taoist rituals were held to bless the souls of the deceased with food items offered during the prayer rituals.  A dinner was also held as part of the festival.

In 1987 when the new temple was built at Arumugam Road, the event was renamed Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple Seventh Month Festival.  The festival – Zhong Yuan Jie focused on the beliefs of Taoism and Buddhism.  It emphasized on the respect for the spirits and souls of the deceased and remembrance of one’s ancestors.  According to legend, it’s a belief that the souls in the underworld will be released to the modern world during this month-long period and people will offer food items and burn incense papers (a form of money in the underworld) as offerings to the spirit of the deceased. Hence for decades, it has been a practice for the Chinese in Singapore to hold prayers rituals and other activities during this month-long festival.  Besides the religious ceremonies, a dinner with live variety performances and auction of prayer items will be generally be held. These items will be auctioned by members and supporters of the temples.

Traditionally, the Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple 7^th Month Festival Organizing Committee will prepare a grand prayer and organize a dinner with auction and variety show to celebrate this festival.  The Taoist prayer ritual held on the 13^th Day of the 7^th Lunar month will be led by Master Priest Huang Xin Cheng, and supported by the Scripture Chanting Group and Orchestra Troupe.  The prayer rituals on the 15^th day of 7^th Lunar month will be led by Taoist Master Priest of Pu Ying Dao Tan (普应道坛).

The offerings for the prayer include religious items, food, daily necessities, household items, accessories etc.  At the dinner, members of the 7^th Month Festival will auction for their preferred items for blessings of good fortune and luck to the family.  The organizer will generally also invite or accept requests by Social Service Organizations (SSO) to help with fund-raising through the auction of the respective organisation’s plaque or through donations collected from guests at the dinner.  The 7^th Month Festival event plays a role in strengthening the friendship and cohesion amongst the members and devotees of the Temple.

During the 7^th Month Festival, variety show was one of the programme highlights.  The programme generally includes songs, dances, acrobatics and other cultural performances.  The variety show organized by Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple over the years has maintained a high standard and has included renowned singers, latest on-stage technology and equipment.  The variety show which is hosted free for the audience has brought a new variety to the daily lifestyles of the general public, in particularly the seniors.