The Hungry Ghost festival, a popular period of festivity, falls on the 7th month of the lunar New Year. It is celebrated quite widely by the Chinese in Malaysia, Singapore and China.During this month, the gates of hell will open to free the hungry ghosts. The ghosts will have 30 days to wander to seek food on Earth. Some believe the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. Mostly the Chinese celebrate this festival to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them.
Believing that the dead return to visit their living relatives during the 7th month, the descendants prepare sumptuous meals for the ‘hungry ghosts’ on the 15th day of the month. Some feel that by feeding the ghosts, they will come into good fortune in their lives besides warding off bad luck.
Offerings are made to the deceased by burning fake money notes, which are also known as ‘hell money’. Even paper television or radio sets are burned. Many families even burned paper houses and cars for their dead relatives, hoping that these will add comfort to them in their world.
An interesting superstition is not to go swimming anytime during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost might cause you to drown in the swimming pool. In addition to this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night as wandering ghosts might possess these children.
After 30 days, the festival will be over as the ghosts return to Hell before the doors of Hell closes.
That is tonight at midnight.
