King of the Underworld in Penang - Malaysia - stock photo

George Town, Penang, Malaysia - August 30th, 2012 Tai Su Yah (King of Underworld or King of Hades) paper effigy sit under a tent during the Hungry Ghost festival and devotees will come over to pray to seek protection and good luck. On the last day of the festival, the paper statue of the Tai Su Yah is burnt. On that night, Tai Su Yah is been carried by the devotees and reach the area of burning. Devotees throw all the gold and silver paper towards the Tai Su Yah with happily and devotion. They start the fire then with a minimum times, the paper idol of Tai Su Yah is burnt until became ashes only. The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, which also falls at the same time as a Full Moon Festival . People believe that the gates of hell will open on the first day of the seventh month for a full month to free the spirits (or our ancestors) who will come out to look for entertainment and food on Earth. Living descendants will pay homage to their deceased ancestors and homeless spirits with food and entertainment; while the deceased are believed to visit the living. Devotees will come over to pray to seek protection and good luck.