If you are finding the atmosphere a bit eerie in Singapore at this time of the year, it's not the weather it's the Hungry Ghost lurking around in the dark. It's Halloween time in Singapore.
You are just in time to celebrate the Hungry Ghost festival, a long held tradition of the Taoist and Buddhist culture.
Who celebrates the Hungry Ghost Festival?
Popular among the Chinese community, the festival is observed during the 7th month of the lunar calendar every year. More specifically, the time falling between the months of August till September. There is a popular belief among the Chinese that during this time every year the gates of hell are left open for the wandering spirits to roam the earth. As the Buddhist tradition holds, the purpose of the festival is to appease these lost spirits and the ghosts who have not been able to crossover due to their unfortunate deaths owing to a murder or a suicide or even those who haven't received a proper burial.
Where is the Hungry Ghost Festival?
Primarily, associated with the Chinese folk the festival is celebrated in its full traditional avatar in the Chinatown of Singapore. The place hums with authentic rituals and over the top shows.
In conformity with the ancient Chinese tradition, one can find people burning hell money and other paper offerings like cars, houses and bikes. Streets come alive with traditional performances like the 'Getai'. The 'Stage Song' or the 'Getai' is an ethnic opera show performed to entertain the dead as much as the living.
The Taoist temple, Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong temple holds special rituals for the departed lost souls. It's another place to experience the festival in a different light.
There are millions of common Chinese myths associated with the festival. The ancient chinese custom entails a whole list of things you should and should not do during this festival. For those of you wondering what to do in Singapore right now, here's your handy guide on the top ten things you can do during the hungry ghost festival.
Put out food for the ghosts
Isn't it always food in every festival. Same goes for the hungry ghosts at this time. Hungry Ghost festival food is special. Locals prepare delicious grub, typically some of the favorite dishes of the souls they believe are now lost. The offerings are left on the side of the streets and lanes.
Buy those bright red lanterns
Streets along the city come alive with vibrant red lanterns hanging out in the open for the ghosts.
Attend the getai or the Stage Song performance
Special performances are held throughout the city with just one purpose to please the dead. These are detailed elaborate community festivals with lots of food, drinks and opera like performances dedicated to the dead. It is typical to find the front rows empty in every gathering. Obviously those seats are reserved for the ghosts!
Prepare altars for the ghosts
Make altars and place your offerings there for the ghosts to savour. It could be anything. jewelry, paper currency, gold ingots or incense.
Burn paper effigies
Since the ghosts are perpetually hungry and lost. Their appetite is insatiable. The question is what do you feed a ghost? The answer is everything! Hence, the tradition here calls for making paper effigies of everything the ghosts might need but can't afford in afterlife.
Pray at a Taoist temple or a monastery
Taoist temples across Singapore dedicate entire days to hold special ceremonies for the dead. Buddhist monasteries offer prayers to bring peace to the deceased souls and often surrounding the purpose of the rituals to help them in rebirth and regeneration.
Good time for charity
Indulging in charity is always a good practice. It is even more popular during the hungry ghost festival. There's so much to offer the needy ghosts. Why not give it to someone one who is still alive? It is popular Buddhist tradition to build good karma and is said to bring good luck.
Floating paper lanterns
Native folks buy paper lanterns and leave them in the water. It is a popular custom and thousands of glowing paper lanterns float in the waters during the festivals. They embark on a journey in the waters to help the ghosts find their way back home.
Dine with the ghosts
Wholesome family feasts are prepared and spread out on the dinner table. A separate selection of dishes is made and left for the ghosts.
Prey to the Zhong Koi
Zhung Koi is the ghost slayer of the Chinese. Offering prayers is another popular practice during the festival. Wearing Zhong Koi lucky charms and bracelets is considered to ward off evil spirits.
Where to stay during the festival?
Staying in a short term rental in SIngapore is a good idea during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Neighbourhoods like Chinatown, East Coast, Orchard Road, Sentosa islands are good and offer affordable rented accommodations.
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