More than just a cultural celebration
Lunar New Year is finally here with the Chinese community welcoming the Year of the Dragon.

During this time, Chinese temples around the country come to life in a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds.

The smell of joss sticks and incense burning greets devotees as they enter the temples.

Themed decorations abound including red lanterns, and some temples hold lion dance and acrobatic dragon dance performances.

Whether they return to their hometowns or stay put in cities, many celebrants head to temples to offer their prayers and seek blessings for a prosperous year, before going on to visit families and friends.

Ancestor worship is also common during this time, an activity often observed without fail among families.

Temples or shrines to the Goddess of Mercy are often popular with devotees during this celebration, where they offer light or oil to the deity for better luck in the year ahead.
Chinese new year
Devotees throng temples offering prayers, seeking blessings for prosperous year ahead.