Hungry Ghost Festival 2011 falls on 31 July 2011 to 28 August 2011

Hungry Ghost festival in fact originated from China, thinking it has lost authority in many parts of China. The Chinese have followed the ritual of the Ghost Festival since the Liang Dynasty in 502 BC. It was then evolved in to the current Zhogyuan Celebration.

Pigs, chicken, ducks, sheep, cakes and fruits are adorned by households on the altar approach after noon. On every sacrifice, the high priest puts a triangular paper of three colors with special characters on the sacrificed objective. After which, the high priest will ring a bell to call back the souls and monks will sing chimes of incantations. Then the Buddhist high priest will toss the rice and peach offerings into the air to share out to the souls.

In Hong Kong; believers of the festival blaze paper notes of “money” printed with various denominations and make other offerings to tranquil the restless spirits of their ancestors that is wandering during this time.

Ghosts haunt on the entire island during the seventh lunar month was admired in Taiwan. The first day of the celebration was inaugurated by the opening of the gate of a temple which symbolizes the gates of hell. All the lamps on the main altar are lit during the twelfth day of the festival. On the thirteenth day, a march of lanterns is held. A procession is held for releasing water lanterns is done during the fourteenth day of the festival; at some point in the duration, incense and various foods are being offered and spirit paper money is burnt in order to please the wandering spirits.

Malaysia celebrates the Ghost Festival 2011 with a rather modernized interweave. Live performances and concerts spread out around the countries’ major cities, thus making it exceptional and stand out among the other countries that celebrate the same festival.

Singapore Hungry Ghost Festival 2011 will be celebrated in similar manner with Malaysia Hungry Ghost Festival. Live shows, called getai or “theater of songs” is held in the various towns in the city state of Singapore.