550,000 people squeezed into temple to burn incense on Cai Shen Ye’s birthday

From Netease:

Today is lunar Jan. 5th (Feb. 18), the birthday of Cai Shen Ye (财神爷), Chinese god of wealth. 550,000 people rushed to Guiyuan Temple before dawn to burn incense as a way to welcome Cai Shen Ye, as well as to pray for blessings for the year of Tiger.

In fact, many people from in and out of Wuhan City started to queue up in front of Guiyuan Temple from 7 p.m. last night, waiting to serve Cai Shen Ye. Roads leading to the temple were filled up around midnight as the number of tourists reached its pinnacle.

In the morning of lunar Jan. 5th, People burned incense to welcome Cai Shen Ye, the god of wealth.

Around midnight, the number of tourists reached its pinnacle.

Burning incense to show welcome Cai Shen Ye, and to pray for blessings.

The government has thousands of police, firefighters and officers of municipal administration stood by to keep order. Gas mask is essential for staying in the clouds of smokes.

The crowds filled up roads leading to the temple.

People are burning incense and praying for blessings sincerely

A man holding his patron saint’s statue made a curtsey in the direction of the temple.

People are waiting to get a ticket to the temple in front of the temporary stands.

Not able to get in yet, they casted coins into the temple as a way of offering to the god of wealth. Police with helmet and shield stood by the wall.

Casting coins and praying for Cai Shen Ye’s blessings.