What is Nine Emperor Gods Festival?
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞 / 九皇胜会) is an annual Taoist religious event that commemorates the birth of the nine sons (九皇星君/九皇大帝) of Big Dipper (斗母元君).
Devotees celebrate this festival for 10 days every year by observing a vegetarian diet, praying to the Nine Emperor Gods at the temples, performing rituals and processions to receive and send off the deities at the start and end of the festival.
These traditions were brought to Southeast Asia by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century and are still widely practiced in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. In Thailand, it is colloquially known as the Vegetarian Festival.
When is Nine Emperor Gods Festival in 2024?
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞 / 九皇胜会) is observed annually for 10 days from the eve of first day to the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, it will take place from 2 – 11 October 2024 (农历八月三十至九月初九).
How to celebrate Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Singapore?
During the 10-day festival, devotees will flock to shrines that house the Nine Emperor Gods to pray. Processions to invite (请水) and send off (回銮) the deities will be held on the eve of the first day and last day of the festival.
While celebrations and schedules may differ from one temple to another, the notable events during the festival include:
- 30th day of eighth month (八月三十): Processions to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (请水)
- 1st day to 3rd day of ninth month (九月初一至初三): Various worshipping ceremonies
- 4th to 8th day of ninth month (九月初四至初八): Processions to parade the Gods (游神)
- 9th day of ninth month (九月初九): Send off the deities (回銮)
During the festival, Getai (歌台) and Chinese opera performances will also be held at selected temples to keep the deities as well as visitors entertained.
The highlight of the festival is the sending-off ceremony on the last day of the festival. During the ritual, a dragon ship (龙船) crafted from paper and filled with incense paper, joss sticks, salt, oil, rice and notes bearing the names of devotees and their families is ceremoniously set ablaze while being pushed out to the sea. This act symbolises the removal of bad fortune, casting it away into the sea.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to actively engage and observe the festival at various shines and temples.
List of Nine Emperor Gods temples and celebrations in Singapore 新加坡九皇法会节目表
Photos via Kew Ong Yah Temple (Upper Serangoon) / Facebook
Kew Ong Yah Temple / Tou Mu Kung Temple 后港斗母宫
- Date: 2 – 12 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Dragon Ship Burning, Lamp Lighting, Hokkien & Teochew Operas, Getai, Fireworks 🎆
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Address: 779A Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534648 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE13) Kovan
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off ceremonies will commence from the temple before proceeding to Punggol Timor Island [Map].
- Getai performances will be held for two nights: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:00pm at Punggol Timor Island and 12 October 2024 (Saturday), 7:00pm at the temple.
- A fireworks show will take place on 11 October 2024 (Friday) at Punggol Timor Island, accompanied by the send-off ritual.
- Free shuttle bus services are available from Kovan MRT Exit C on 5, 6 & 8 October 2024 (Saturday, Sunday & Tuesday), from 8am to 5pm.
Singapore Yu Huang Gong / Temple of the Heavenly Jade Emperor / Taoist Mission (Singapore) 新加坡玉皇宫 / 新加坡道教协会
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invocation of Divinity Rites, Sending Off Divinities Ritual, Confession to Jade Emperor, North Dipper Ritual, Scripture Transcription, Complimentary Vegan Meals, Buns Distribution
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 8:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 10 October 2024 (Thursday), 8:00pm
- Address: 150 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068608 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT18) Telok Ayer
- Notes:
- Transcription of scriptures are only available on selected dates & time.
- Buns will be distributed between 10am and 1pm on 3 October 2024 (Thursday).
Photos via Kew Ong Yah Temple (Upper Serangoon) / Facebook
Hong San Temple 凤山宫
- Date: 28 September 2024 – 12 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Teochew Opera, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Ship Burning, Bridge Crossing Ritual, Gift Packs Donation, Mobile Getai
- Invite Date/Time: 29 September 2024 (Sunday), 8:15pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 8:45pm
- Address: 49 Defu Lane 12, Singapore 539142 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC11) Tai Seng (1.8km or 26-minute walk)
- Notes:
- Teochew Opera will be available from 28 September – 12 October 2024 and tickets are available for S$5 per person. Click here to book tickets.
- Invite and send-off rituals will begin from the temple before proceeding to East Coast Park, Car Park D5 [Map].
- Mobile Getai will be held at 7:00pm on 11 October 2024 (Friday) as part of the send-off procession from the temple to East Coast Park.
Tao Bu Keng Temple 蔡厝港斗母宫
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Free Vegetarian Food, Getai, Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Bridge Crossing Ritual, Praying Rituals, Bursary Awards
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 6:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Address: 2 Teck Whye Lane, Singapore 688799 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (BP5) Phoenix
- Nearest MRT station: (DT1) Bukit Panjang (1.4km or 20-minute walk)
- Notes:
- The invite and send-off processions will begin at the temple and proceed to the beach at Tuas South Avenue 4.
- Getai will be held at 7pm on 4 October 2024 (Friday).
- Free vegetarian meals will be available from 8:00pm on 3, 5, 6, & 7 October 2024, while supplies last.
Leong Nam Temple / Long Nan Dian 龙南殿
- Date: 30 September 2024 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Fire Dragon Dance (舞火龙), Free Vegetarian Snacks and Dishes, Deities Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Yew Keng (游境), Chinese Opera, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Boat Burning, Bridge Crossing Ritual, Fireworks 🎆.
- Invite Date/Time: 30 September 2024 (Monday), 5:30pm
- Yew Keng Parade Date/Time: 6 October 2024 (Sunday), 9:00am
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Address: 70 Sengkang West Avenue, #01-01, Singapore 797651 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (SW5) Fernvale
- Nearest MRT station: (NE16) Sengkang (3km or 41-minute walk)
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off ceremonies will start at the temple before moving on to East Coast Park, Car Park F3 [Map].
- Fireworks displays have been scheduled for two nights: 10 & 11 October 2024 (Thursday & Friday) at around 8:30pm – 9:00pm.
- Fire Dragon Dance performances are scheduled for 30 September 2024 (Monday) and 10 October 2024 (Thursday).
Charn Mao Hern Kew Huang Keng 葱茅园九皇宫
- Date: 30 September 2024 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off ceremonies, Getai, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Boat Burning, Free Vegetarian Meals
- Invite Date/Time: 30 September 2024 (Monday), 3:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 3:30pm
- Address: 28 Arumugam Rd, Singapore 409965 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC10|DT26) Macpherson
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off ceremonies will commence at the temple before proceeding to East Coast Park, Car Park C1 [Map]
- Getai will be held from 7pm – 10:30pm on 30 September 2024 (Monday).
- Vegetarian meals are available for dine-in from 7:00am to 8:00pm daily.
Long Shan Yan Dou Mu Gong 龙山岩斗母宫
- Date: 2 – 12 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Deities, Firewalking Ceremony, Taoist Prayers, Vegetarian Banquet, Bridge Crossing Ceremony, Dragon Boat Burning, Temple’s Annual Dinner
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 5:00pm
- Address: 791 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569974 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS16) Ang Mo Kio
- Notes:
- The invite and send-off rituals will begin at the event venue before proceeding to Punggol Marina Country Club [Map].
- Temple’s Annual Dinner will be held on 12 October 2024 (Saturday), 7:00pm.
Xuan Wu Shan 玄武山翰林院
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prosperity Bridge Crossing Ritual.
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 6:00pm
- Address: Beside Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre, Blk 252 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore 600252 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW25) Chinese Garden
- Note: Invite and send-off rituals will commence at the event venue before proceeding to Changi Beach.
Jing Shui Gang Dou Mu Gong 汫水港斗母宫风山寺
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Island-wide Nine Emperor Gods Temple Tour, Tour Around All Temples in Yishun, Distribution of Gift Packs to Seniors in Nee Soon
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Yishun Temple Tour Date/Time: 8 October 2024 (Tuesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Address: 561 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768682 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS13) Yishun
- Note: The invite and send-off rituals will take place at the event venue before proceeding to Sembawang Beach.
Jiu Huang Dian 玉封九皇殿协会
- Date: 2 – 13 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Religious Rituals Led by Taoist Priest, Lamp Lighting, Lion and Dragon Dance Performances, Electric-Techno Neon Gods Dance Performance (电音三太子舞蹈), Celebratory Dinner (联欢晚宴), Prayer Offerings Distribution (分发贡品)
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Venue: Beside Yuhua Place Market
- Address: Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1, Singapore 600347 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW25) Chinese Garden
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off processions will commence at the event venue before proceeding to Changi Beach.
- Celebratory dinner will be held on 12 October 2024 (Saturday), 7:00pm and prayer offerings will be distributed to devotees on 13 October 2024 (Sunday), 12:00pm.
Ling Lian Bao Dian Kew Ong Yah Temple 凌莲宝殿斗母宫
- Date: 1 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Lion & Dragon Dance Performances, Island-wide 9 Emperor Gods Temple Tour, Crossing Peace Bridge Ritual (过平安桥)
- Invite Date/Time: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 9:00pm
- Venue: Open field beside Tampines N4 Neighbourhood
- Address: Blk 473 Tampines Street 43, Singapore 520473 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT33) Tampines East
Nan Bei Dou Mu Gong 南北九皇斗母宫
- Date: 1 – 12 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Prayers & Rituals, Free Vegetarian Meals, Lion Dance Performances, Bridge Crossing Ritual (过平安桥)
- Invite Date/Time: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:00pm
- Venue: Open field beside SingPost Centre (Paya Lebar MRT station, Exit A) / Intersection of Eunos Avenue 3 and Eunos Road 8
- Address: 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC9|EW8) Paya Lebar
- Notes:
- Invite procession will set off from event venue to seaside at 7:30pm and return at around 9:30pm.
- Bridge crossing ritual will be held on 5 October 2024 (Saturday), 8:00pm.
Yu Bao Dian 御宝殿
- Date: 1 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Rituals, Prayers
- Invite Date/Time: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday), 8:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:00pm
- Address: Car park beside Frontier, 50 Ubi Avenue 3, Singapore 408866 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC10|DT26) MacPherson (1.1km or 15-minute walk)
- Note: The invite & send-off rituals will begin at the event venue before proceeding to Changi Beach.
Shin Sen Keng 神仙宫
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Rituals, Prayers, Puppet Shows, Dragon & Lion Dance Performances, Island-wide Temple Tour
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:00pm
- Address: 1 Bukit Batok Crescent, #09-26, WCEGA Plaza, Singapore 658064 Singapore, Singapore [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS2) Bukit Batok
- Note: Free shuttle buses will be provided from the event venue to seaside for the invite and send-off rituals.
Jee Hai Tung Kwan Im Welfare Society 玉皇殿玉海棠观音堂 (Teck Hai Keng Temple)
- Date: 30 September – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Dragon Ship Prayer (九皇爷祈福法船), Lamp Lighting, Chinese Opera Performances
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 8:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 8:00pm
- Address: 30 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 479230 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT28) Kaki Bukit
- Note: Invite and send-off rituals will start at the temple before proceeding to East Coast Park, Car Park G [Map].
Nan Shan Hai Temple 玉封南山海庙
- Date: 1 – 12 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Puppet Show (歌仔戏), Rituals, Celebratory Dinner
- Invite Date/Time: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 6:00pm
- Address: Blk 701 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 470701 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT29) Bedok North
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off rites will be held at the temple before moving off to Changi Beach, Car Park 2 [Map]
- Celebratory Dinner will be held on 12 October 2024 (Saturday), 7:30pm.
- Date: 28 September 2024 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies
- Invite Date/Time: 28 September 2024 (Saturday), 4:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:00pm
- Venue: Field beside Rivervale Plaza
- Address: Blk 118 Rivervale Drive, Singapore 540118 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (SE3) Bakau
- Nearest MRT station: (NE16) Sengkang (1.4km or 19-minute walk)
Kim San Tze / Jin San Si 金山寺斗山宫
- Date: 1 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies
- Invite Date/Time: 1 October 2024 (Tuesday), 7:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 7:30pm
- Address: 25 Jalan Ulu Siglap, Singapore 457182 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW5) Bedok (1.5km or 20-minute walk)
- Note: Invite and send-off ceremonies will be held at the temple premise before moving to East Coast Park, Car Park F2 [Map].
Jiu Tian Gong Singapore 顺阴坛九天宫
- Date: 26 September – 7 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies
- Invite Date/Time: 26 September 2024 (Thursday), 3:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 7 October 2024 (Monday), 3:30pm
- Address: 7030 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Northstar @ AMK, #03-47, Singapore 569880 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE15) Buangkok
Shi Cheng Tai Zi Gong 獅城太子宫
- Date: 2 – 11 October 2024
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies
- Invite Date/Time: 2 October 2024 (Wednesday), 11:45am
- Send-off Date/Time: 11 October 2024 (Friday), 1:00pm
- Address: 1 Yishun Industrial Park A, #08-13, Singapore 768753 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS12) Canberra
Common rituals and taboos to observe
During the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, devotees will observe a vegan diet from the first day to ninth day of the ninth month. Vegan is more restrictive than vegetarian, as it excludes not only meat but also eggs and all dairy products.
If you intend to visit one of the Nine Emperor Gods’ temples, it is advisable to observe a vegan diet for the day, even if you don’t plan to continue it for the entire nine days.
While there is no specific dress code, always wear modestly when visiting any temples as a sign of respect.
