Locals and villagers living overseas have flocked to Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, home of the famed wishing tree for a once-in-a-decade event featuring opera singing, lion dances, festive food and a daily ritual of 60 Taoist priests praying.
The six-day Tai Ping Ching Jiu festival began yesterday with a lavish ceremony in a 3,200-seat bamboo theatre.
Villagers are inviting people from across Hong Kong to join in the event, also known as Da Jiu, a festival in which participants pray for peace.
School principal Lam Luk-wing, who heads the 220-member organising committee, said the festival cost almost HK$5 million.
A highlight of the first day was the carrying of statues of the goddess Tin Hau around Lam Tsuen and nearby Tai Po Old Town 'with much pomp and circumstance', he said.
'The climax will be at noon on the fourth day [Sunday], the official Da Jiu date,' Mr Lam said. 'In accordance with the Chinese calendar, lions will dance, villagers will feast and opera will be sung.'
This six-day festival is held to thank Tin Hau for giving good weather and fruitful harvests to the villagers as well as to placate roaming spirits.