GEORGE TOWN: After a year when visitors were barred during the Kek Lok Si lighting ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visitors flocked to the temple in Ayer Itam on Friday (Jan 28) to witness the annual tradition for Chinese New Year.

       The 130-year-old monastery was illuminated all the way up to the 33.6m-tall Kuan Yin statue and the temple pavilion at 6.45pm.

       Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and former chief minister Lim Guan Eng were present and were accompanied by temple trustee Datuk Seri Steven Ooi and committee members.

       The lighting, using 10,000 different traditional lights, will be lit up until Feb 28.

       The lighting ceremony was also streamed live on Facebook.

       The hour-long ceremony included prayers and a 10-minute fireworks display.