Che Kung Festival - First Moon, Day 2
(January/February) Click for western date >> Hong Kong's gamblers have their own god to bring them good luck for the year.

Che Kung, a Sung Dynasty general, became an immortal and was elevated to a Taoist deity after he saved the inhabitants of Sha Tin Valley in the New Territories from a plague. Villagers have worshipped him ever since.

This centuries-old tradition is now celebrated by thousands of believers from much further afield - many of whom believe he can bring good luck with punts on the horses - who flock to his temple to wish him happy birthday on the second or the third day of Lunar New Year.
The temple, which coincidentally lies near the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Sha Tin Racecourse, has been renovated and is a popular place of worship. Many seeking Che Kung's good fortune visit the temple to consult fortune-tellers, who turn a fan-bladed wheel of fortune three times to ensure good luck in the coming year.

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