Celebrate Che Kung's birthday in Hong Kong - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com can announce that the celebration of Che Kung's birthday is likely to be on the itinerary for anyone staying in Hong Kong hotels next month.

Every year, hundreds of people visit the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin district to pay tribute to the god, who is reputed to bring good luck to those who enjoy gambling.

His birthday is observed on the second day of the Chinese New Year, which will be February 15th in 2010.

Che Kung was a general of the Sung Dynasty who became a deity after reportedly quashing a rebellion in South China and saving the inhabitants of the Sha Tin Valley from the plague.

He is believed to have settled in Hong Kong, where his bravery and wisdom was highly respected by the local people.

On Che Kung's birthday, visitors to his temple on the Che Kung Miu Road will find a copper wheel of fortune inside the building, where incense is burned in honour of the god.

Legend states that spinning the wheel three times will bring worshippers good luck, no matter where it lands.

Although it is now housed in a relatively modern building, the original Che Kung Temple dates back to the end of the Ming Dynasty over 300 years ago.