JOHOR BAHRU, Mar 4 (Sin Chew Daily) — The Chingay festival parade in Johor Bahru continues today with five deities seated in elevated sedan chairs leaving the main hall of the Johor Ancient Temple here in a parade held at the temple's courtyard at 11am Thursday.

The five deities were escorted out from the main hall of the temple in compliance with strict standard operating procedures and limited number of volunteers at the temple.

Volunteers raised their voice to chant: "Huat ah! Ong ah!" after a prayer session was held to mark the completion of the parade.

Present at the prayer session were Johor Ancient Temple committee members, Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association president Ho Sow Tong and representatives from local Chinese clan associations.

In the past, the deities were escorted out of the temple in a convoy to participate in a parade which attracted large crowds of spectators.

The livestreaming session of the prayer session and celebration on Thursday began at 10.30am.

The audience also were presented with Teochew opera during the livestreaming session. The deities were featured on several occasions for devotees to conduct online prayers.

Some of the devotees were seen praying outside the temple.