Annual events The temple is a focal point of festivals of the Chinese community in Penang. The Chinese New Year celebrations are particularly impressive. For 30 days following Chinese New Year, the temple remains open until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of light. During the festival days, the complex is decorated with thousands of lanterns representing donations offered by devotees. Another festive feature is the long marches undertaken by hundreds of monks from Thailand to the temple, once or twice in a year. Worship Worship of the deities in the temple complex reflects the diversity of the ethnic origins of the Buddhist devotees. Such worship could be in the form of counting prayer beads or by burning incense or by cash offerings or just by bowing and clapping to make one's presence known to the deity. Highly learned people offer prayers at the tower of Sacred Books in the upper part of the temple. Some pilgrims also offer prayers in the extensive gardens located in the precincts of the temple. The religious paraphernalia sold along the winding steps that lead to the temple precincts cater to the religious offerings to be made by the pilgrims. The goods on sale comprise ornaments, books, pictures, collection of sayings and strings of a sacred orange colour and mementos such as T-shirts and CDs. Incidents Fire Outbreak A fire broke out at the temple on the morning of 12 October 2021, and The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia were alerted about the incident at 2:56am. The flames had already engulfed one of the temple buildings when firemen arrived at the scene. Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations officer, Muhamad Norhisham Ibrahim reported that the fire have completely destroyed at least 70% of the 18.5 square metre temple building with fires fully extinguished around 6 am. There were no casualties or injuries reported during the whole incident. The cause of the fire is still being investigated by authorities. As of October 18, 2021, the temple complex is still opened to the public except for its affected mid-section. The temple is promised be repaired before December 22, 2021, the date marking the 130th anniversary of the temple. See also Dhammikarama Burmese Temple Mahindarama Buddhist Temple Wat Buppharam Wat Chayamangkalaram Buddhism in Malaysia References Notes Bibliography External links Official Website of Kek Lok Si Temple Religious buildings and