The 68 feet long vessel burns as part of the Hungry Ghost Festival at the Sibu Fong Hwang San Ur Par Wang Kong Temple. – Photo by Peter Boon

SIBU (Aug 27): A large crowd of devotees gathered at Sibu Fong Hwang San Ur Par Wang Kong Temple tonight to mark the Hungry Ghost Festival with a grand offering ceremony.

The highlight of the event was the burning of a massive bamboo-and-paper vessel measuring about 68 feet long, 35 feet high and 12 feet wide.

Built mainly from bamboo and paper, the structure took about two months to complete before being set alight at 9.30pm.

The ceremony also featured the customary food-grabbing ritual among devotees.

State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang said the temple’s annual paper-vessel burning ceremony had become a major event with the potential to be developed as a cultural heritage attraction and tourism highlight for Sibu.

“I hope this will become one of Sibu’s cultural heritage attractions and a highlight of our local tourism, drawing visitors from outside Sibu to witness this unique annual ritual,” he said when met by reporters.

Tiang also reminded the public to observe safety measures when carrying out such rituals.

“I am very glad to see that, year after year, the temple continues to upgrade its safety measures.

“This year, iron barriers have been installed to control the crowd and prevent people from getting too close to the burning paper vessel.

“This is a good improvement as it provides a safer designated area for the ritual,” said Tiang.

Also present were Sibu MP Oscar Ling, Stanley Chiew, the private secretary to Lanang MP Alice Lau, Councillor Paul Teo and other invited guests.

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