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Located
to the east and north of Kowloon City, the district of Wong Tai Sin encompasses
Wang Tau Hom, Lok Fu, Chuk Yuen, Wong Tai Sin, Tsz Wan Shan, Fung Wong,
Choi Hung and Choi Wan, an area that includes several major public housing
estates.
Sik Sik Yuen Wong
Tai Sin Temple, which gives the district its name, is nowadays one of
Hong Kong's best known cultural landmarks, although it is only within
the last century, that the name has come to prominence. It was in 1915
that a portrait of the deity Wong Tai Sin was first brought to Hong Kong
from a mainland temple, to be worshipped in a temple in Wan Chai. Since
then it has attracted a growing local following, because Wong Tai Sin
is known to be a deity of giving, who will always grant a worshipper's
wish.
 The
present Wong Tai Sin temple was built at Sik Sik Yuen in 1921 and has
since been extensively enlarged and refurbished. Its major attractions
include the main hall and Sam Shing Tong which is devoted to Lu Dong Bin,
Kwun Yam (Goddess of Mercy) and Guan Di, a general revered for his fairness,
righteousness and scholarly knowledge. There is also a portrait of the
great Confucius. The temple has a rare collection of scriptures on Confucianism,
Buddhism and Taoism.
The temple is packed
with worshippers all year round, but is especially busy at various festivals.
On the eve of every Lunar New Year, worshippers will queue for hours just
to light up the first joss sticks of the new year at midnight. This ritual
is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
is also a charitable body. Worshippers' gifts are donated to local hospitals
and schools, and there is a free medical service for the needy. A few
years ago, the temple began accepting wedding appointments with full marriage
registration procedures, a major breakthrough for an establishment of
this type.
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Interesting
Stories of 18 Districts
