03/04/2026
惊蛰遇天赦日
信众涌天公坛拜拜
（北海2026年3月5日讯）难得一遇！今天是农历正月十七“惊蛰日”，巧遇今年首个“天赦日”，北海天公坛一早便迎来很多信众虔诚敬拜玉皇大帝，祈求上天赦罪消灾、祈福转运。
惊蛰是阳气勃发万物复苏的节气，天赦日则是上天开恩赦罪，双吉日叠加实属难得，下一次要等到2086年才会迎来这大吉之日。
北海天公坛总务罗信典受访时说，该坛的天赦日已迈入第3年，与去年一样，今年共有6个天赦日，除了今天，接下来分别落在农历三月十八（5月4日）、农历四月初四（5月20日）、农历六月初六（9月19日）、农历八月廿一（10月1日）、农历十一月初八（12月16日）。
“我们鼓励善信亲自书写忏悔疏文及自备供品，这样才能展现虔诚之心。而天赦日祭拜时准备带壳龙眼，更是寓意‘福气圆满’、‘破茧重生’。”
他披露，今年首个天赦日是在周四，陆续有人到来拜拜，但若遇到周末，人潮更是源源不绝。
多媒体组主任黄思霖说，该坛从今天早上8时开放到晚上8时，但据义工透露，早上7时30分已有人到来等候，所以庙方提早开门，人潮之后就不断涌现。
罗信典说，自古以来就有帝王大赦天，如遇登基、立太子等庆典吉日，当时帝王会颁布赦令，给人们改过自新的机会，天赦日也是如此。
他说，天赦日在以前非常盛行，但时代变迁，此习俗一度在我国淡化，甚至被遗忘，直至近年经过社交媒体推广，才再次兴起，并吸引很多年轻人到来拜拜忏悔。
他强调，天赦日的含义是让人学会自我赦免，并时刻反省不断改善，提升自己的觉知能力。
李丽梅：诚心祈福消灾
我们一路来是在家里膜拜天赦日，年初二到北海天公坛拜拜时，发现这里有准备忏悔疏文，因此趁周四（5日）天赦日，特地从大山脚家过来拜拜。
我们准备了水果和糕点，诚心祈福，希望能够为家人带来平安、健康、顺遂。
范瑞籇：首次参与祭拜
我是从台湾地母庙的地母娘娘和北海斗母宫的九皇爷旨意下，获得感应，因此特地从槟岛过来拜拜，并准备了龙眼和五色水果虔诚敬拜玉皇大帝。
这是我第一次来北海天公坛参与天赦日祭拜仪式。
林立民：前后来过4次
我是柔佛人与妻子适居槟城，这是我第2年参与北海天公坛天赦日活动，去年首次拜拜则前后来了4次。
我是透过社交媒体和朋友才得知天赦日，觉得这是非常有意义的日子，让我们在诚心膜拜与忏悔中，时刻反省、成长，并从中学习与提升，让自己成为更好的人。
图解：
· 信众虔诚的向玉皇大帝默念忏悔疏文，祈求上天赦罪解厄。
· 两名女善信，一人默念忏悔疏文，一人持香诚心敬拜。
· 通胜日历列出农历正月十七“惊蛰日”，巧遇今年首个“天赦日”，双吉日叠加实属难得。
· 罗信典展示庙前张贴的忏悔疏文样本。
· 信众亲自书写忏悔疏文。
· 信众虔诚敬拜玉皇大帝，祈求上天消灾解厄。
· 北海天公坛陆续有人涌入参拜，有的折金纸丶有的默念忏悔疏文丶有的双手合十敬拜。
· 信众自备丰富的供品敬拜玉皇大帝。
· 祭拜时准备带壳龙眼，寓意“福气圆满”丶“破茧重生”。
· 很多年轻人也到来敬拜玉皇大帝。
· 3名男女善信在香火缭绕下，虔诚敬拜玉皇大帝。
· 马年共有6个天赦日庆典，北海天公坛将开放时间早上8点至晚上八点正
· 李丽梅（51岁，家庭主妇，右）和许准贤（30岁，网卖客服）。
· 范瑞籇（40岁，从事房地产）。
· 林立民（43岁，精油批发商）。
新闻报导《中国报》北马人 reported by China Press link:
https://penang.chinapress.com.my/20260305/%E6%83%8A%E8%9B%B0%E9%81%87%E5%A4%A9%E8%B5%A6%E6%97%A5-%E4%BF%A1%E4%BC%97%E6%B6%8C%E5%A4%A9%E5%85%AC%E5%9D%9B%E6%8B%9C%E6%8B%9C/
Awakening of Insects Coincides with Tian She Ri (Heavenly Pardon Day)
Devotees Flock to Tian Gong Tan Temple to Pray
(BUTTERWORTH, March 5, 2026) – A rare encounter! Today marks the Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects) solar term, which falls on the 17th day of the first lunar month, coinciding with the first Tian She Ri (Heavenly Pardon Day) of the year. Early this morning, a large number of devotees gathered at the Butterworth Tian Gong Tan Temple to sincerely worship the Jade Emperor, praying for Heaven’s forgiveness to absolve sins, dispel misfortune, and transfer blessings.
The Awakening of Insects is a solar term symbolizing the rise of yang energy and the revival of all life, while Heavenly Pardon Day is a day when Heaven grants pardon and mercy. The convergence of these two auspicious days is truly rare; the next such occurrence will not happen until 2086.
Loh Sin Ten, Secretary-General of the Butterworth Tian Gong Tan Temple, said in an interview that the temple has been observing Heavenly Pardon Day for three years. As with last year, there will be six Heavenly Pardon days this year. In addition to today, the remaining dates fall on the 18th day of the third lunar month (May 4), the 4th day of the fourth lunar month (May 20), the 6th day of the sixth lunar month (September 19), the 21st day of the eighth lunar month (October 1), and the 8th day of the eleventh lunar month (December 16).
“We encourage devotees to personally write their repentance statements and prepare their own offerings, as this demonstrates true sincerity. During Heavenly Pardon Day prayers, preparing longans with shells symbolizes ‘complete blessings’ and ‘rebirth after breaking through hardships,’” he said.
He added that although this year’s first Heavenly Pardon Day falls on a Thursday, devotees have been arriving steadily. If the date coincides with a weekend, the crowds would be even larger.
Edmund Ng, head of the temple’s multimedia unit, said the temple opened from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. today. According to volunteers, devotees had already started waiting by 7:30 a.m., prompting the temple to open its doors early. Crowds have since continued to pour in.
Loh Sin Ten explained that since ancient times, emperors would issue amnesties on grand occasions such as coronations or the establishment of a crown prince, granting people a chance to reform. Heavenly Pardon Day is based on a similar concept.
He noted that Heavenly Pardon Day was once widely observed in the past but faded over time and was even forgotten in Malaysia. In recent years, thanks to social media promotion, the tradition has been revived and now attracts many young people who come to pray and repent.
He emphasized that the significance of Heavenly Pardon Day lies in helping people learn to forgive themselves, engage in constant self-reflection, seek self-improvement, and enhance their awareness.
Lee Li Mei (51, Homemaker) & Koh Jun Xian (30, E-commerce Customer Service):
“We usually pray at home on Tian She Ri. When we visited Tian Gong Tan Temple on the second day of the Lunar New Year, we noticed that the temple provides repentance statements. So today, we made a special trip from Bukit Mertajam to pray here. We prepared fruits and cakes, praying sincerely for our family’s peace, health, and prosperity.”
Mr. Phang (40, Real Estate):
“Following the guidance of the Earth Mother Goddess from Taiwan’s Dì Mǔ Temple and the Nine Emperor Gods from the Butterworth Tow Boo Kong Temple, I felt inspired to come here to pray. This is my first time participating in the Tian She Ri prayer ceremony at Butterworth Tian Gong Tan Temple. I prepared longans and five-colored fruits to sincerely honor the Jade Emperor.”
Lim Li Min (43, Essential Oil Wholesaler):
“I’m originally from Johor and now live in Penang with my wife. This is my second year taking part in the Heavenly Pardon Day event here. Last year, I came four times. I learned about Heavenly Pardon Day through social media and friends. I find it a very meaningful occasion, it allows us to sincerely repent and reflect, to grow and improve ourselves, and to become better individuals.”
Captions for Photos:
Devotees devoutly recite repentance statements to the Jade Emperor, praying for Heaven’s forgiveness and relief from misfortune.
Two female devotees, one silently reading a repentance statement, the other holding incense in sincere prayer.
A page from the Chinese Tong Sheng calendar showing the 17th day of the first lunar month coinciding with Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects) and the first Heavenly Pardon Day of the year, a rare double auspicious day.
Loh Sin Ten displays a sample repentance statement posted in front of the temple.
Devotees personally write their repentance statements.
Devotees pray devoutly to the Jade Emperor, seeking relief from misfortune.
Crowds stream into the Butterworth Tian Gong Tan Temple, some folding gold paper, some reciting repentance statements, some praying with hands clasped.
Devotees prepare abundant offerings to honor the Jade Emperor.
Longans with shells prepared for prayer, symbolizing “complete blessings” and “rebirth after breaking through hardships.”
Many young people also come to pay respects to the Jade Emperor.
Three devotees (two men and one woman) pray devoutly amidst swirling incense smoke.
The Butterworth Tian Gong Tan Temple will hold six Heavenly Pardon Day ceremonies this year.
Lee Li Mei (51, homemaker, right) and Koh Jun Xian (30, e-commerce customer service).
Mr. Phang (40, real estate).
Lim Li Min (43, essential oil wholesaler).
