Hungry Ghost Festival - An Intriguing Celebration!

As scary as its name sounds, the Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most famous

festivals in Singapore which has attracted the attention of the world with its extravagant celebrations. This festival of the dead is thought to have originated in ancient China and is celebrated even in modern times by people of Chinese origin all over the world.

Singapore is home to a significant portion of people with Chinese origins. Thus, it is a country where this festival is celebrated in a grand manner. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival falls on the 15th night of the seventh month of every year. While the seventh month is known as the Ghost Month to most in Singapore, it is said that this is the time of year when spirits and ghosts from the lower realm ascend to our world in search of various needs.

According to local belief, deceased ancestors too visit the world of the living during this time of year. One could question why these spirits do not visit the world of the living as they please. The reason which is given in this regard is the fact that the gates of hell are only opened during the course of this month. Those who cross over to the world of the living are primarily thought to make the journey in search of some form of entertainment or food as only those who were forgotten by their descendants are known to visit the world of the living with a yearning for attention. Although there remains a theory among Buddhist followers that the Hungry Ghost Festival is actually based on a their religion, unavoidable evidence which traces the origins of these festivities back to ancient Chinese folk religious beliefs have been found by experts on the subject.

Various offerings are made to appease these spirits as they possess the power to bring bad luck to those who neglect their existence. Various performances such as puppet shows and Chinese operas are staged during the month offering many things to see in Singapore for those on holiday. Those in town exploring the city in search of Singapore attractions will be best served by residing at Copthorne Orchid Hotel Singapore, a leading hotel in Singapore, offering a variety of creature comforts to its guests. Being aSingapore hotel near city centre, this charming rest provides easy links to a number of key tourist attractions in the city.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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