Shanghai temples cancel traditional activities

The Longhua Temple in Xuhui District will cancel its traditional activities to welcome the God of Wealth on the fourth night of the first lunar month due to safety concerns, the district's government announced yesterday.

It has been a tradition to host a number of activities such as grand performances and bell ringing to welcome Zhao Gongming, or the God of Wealth, inside the temple on that night.

People generally set off firecrackers and burn incense to mark the occasion. Chinese businessmen are particularly devout. The activities, which were to be celebrated on February 22 at the temple, were canceled this year.

The Jade Buddha Temple in Jing'an District also canceled its activities amid concern over safety.

Following the Bund stampede that claimed 36 lives on New Year's Eve, the city's many temples had said earlier it planned to restrict on the number of visitors on Lunar New Year's Eve on February 18.