Sacred portrait moved in ceremony to mark start of Wong Tai Sin Temple redevelopment

Wong Tai Sin Temple kicked off its expansion project by moving its patron deity icon amid gong-banging and chanting.

The 93-year-old portrait, originally from Guangzhou, will remain at the adjacent Fung Ming House for two years while Sik Sik Yuen, a religious charity that owns the temple, demolishes and expands the main platform.

As worshippers made their way through incense clouds with joss sticks and roasted pigs, Sik Sik Yuen chairman Lee Yiu-fai led about 80 temple workers to the main temple.

After much chanting and bowing, and a cleansing ritual, Mr Lee took the portrait in procession to the front square, where he positioned a magnifying glass over gold-leaf paper to light it with the Sun's rays.

Andrew Cheung Yiu-kwong, managing director of P. K. & Ng Associates contracted for the demolition work and design consulting, hit the ground with a hammer to signify the project's beginning.

Sounding their gongs, the crowd took the portrait to its temporary home, where Wong Tai Sin's faithful will be directed while the work is ongoing, and blessed the hall in an hour-long ceremony.