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Crowds thronged to one of Hong Kong’s main temples to burn incense and offer prayers for the Lunar New Year on Sunday night.
It’s a tradition to try to be the first to place incense at the start of the New Year. It also means queuing for hours and then a last minute rush to be among the many trying to burn incense outside the temple’s main hall. The main moment is at 11p.m. local time.
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Crowds thronged to one of Hong Kong’s main temples to burn incense and offer prayers for the Lunar New Year on Sunday night. |
Although it’s one hour before midnight, it’s the traditionally significant moment for the start of the New Year by Chinese time-keeping. Among the crowds waiting to burn incense and offer their prayers for the year to come, most expressed hopes, health, happiness, and a better economy for 2012 as New Year’s goals.