Tens of thousands of devotees on Monday piled into the famous Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin to pray for good luck and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon.

Worshippers joined snaking queues to make it inside the temple to offer incense sticks – only three at a time per person – before the statue of Che Kung.

"I have only waited for half an hour," a man told RTHK. "I wish good fortune for everyone in the Year of the Dragon."

Another man said it has been an annual tradition to visit the temple.

"I pray for good health, peace for my family and success... and for my children to grow tall and strong," he said.

A kid wished to keep his cool in the coming year: "My wish for this year is to excel in my studies, have good health, be calm and even-tempered, and not be so grumpy."

According to Chinese traditions, people tend to avoid visiting family and friends on the third day of the Lunar New Year. Individuals are more likely to quarrel on the day, believed to be an ominous one.

By the time it closed its doors at 6pm, more than 75,500 people had visited.
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Last updated: 2024-02-12 HKT 18:49