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Earth God’s Birthday
The public often prays to Earth God on the second and sixteenth day of the month of the lunar calendar. The second day of February of the lunar calendar is Earth God’s birthday. On this day, households would prepare offerings to pray at the temple, wishing Earth God a happy birthday. This would also mean a big day for Fude Temple on Dianzai Street, and the temple management would prepare activities to celebrate this special day. Temples from out of town would also send their good wishes to celebrate Earth God’s birthday! Festive ActivitiesOn Earth God’s birthday, besides worshippers praying to Earth God, the temple had also prepared different activities to celebrate. There were also groups sending their good wishes with performances. It was an all-out festive celebration. Earth God Neighborhood Inspection Tour
At 9:00 A.M., Earth God started the neighborhood inspection tour from Fude Temple on Dianzai Street. His steed, Tiger God, would go through a traditional ceremony where his ride would be bombarded with firecrackers. There were also lion dance and floats to accompany Earth God on his inspection tour around Yonghe. The trip would pass through Yonghe District Office, Wangxi Fede Temple, Yonghe Temple, Baofu Temple, and Lehua Night Market, all of them are famous landmarks in Yonghe. The inspection tour would end before 4:00 P.M., and the entire Yonghe District would be bustling. Finally, the entourage would make its way back to Fude Temple on Dianzai Street for a general prayer seeking good fortune for the public. Performances
On this special day, there were performing groups that came from different places. For example, the Eight Generals that protect the community and deter evil spirits and General Fan and General Xie who capture ghosts would perform during the procession. There were also a traditional band that played traditional instruments, and Electro Santaizi that was quite famous around the world. Meal of Good Fortune and Longevity
In the morning of Earth God’s birthday, the temple and local businesses would prepare longevity buns and noodles to celebrate Earth God’s birthday. We can even see an imposing tower of longevity buns!
At night, there will be a good fortune and longevity meal offered in front of the temple plaza. Approximately 100 tables would be set up to accommodate the locals to wish Earth God a happy birthday. People who want to participate must sign up ahead of time. After the meal, people would Prepare Offerings
Would you like to wish Earth God a happy birthday? Here are some offering items that you might prepare exclusively for Earth God.
Source
Text: The Wondrous Temple Expedition, interviews with the temple janitors │
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