Devotees celebrate centuries-old Nine Emperor Gods festival in Malaysia

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is an annual Taoist celebration held from the first day to the ninth day of the lunar month. (Photo: AP)

Devotees leave a temple during a procession on the eve of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. The nine-day festival has been practiced for many generations by ethnic Chinese in this country. (Photo: AP)

Malaysian Chinese carrying an Emperor God leave a temple during a procession on the eve of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is an annual Taoist celebration held from the first day to the ninth day of the lunar month. (Photo: AP)

Malaysian Chinese carrying an Emperor god at a temple during a procession on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. Temples of the deities hold a ceremony to welcome the emperors. (Photo: AP)

Malaysian ethnic Chinese men throw joss papers and sticks to make fire on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. Most devotees eat vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. (Photo: AP)

A Malaysian ethnic Chinese man pours gasoline on a bed of burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. White-clad worshippers lit candles and offered sacrifices to their deities. (Photo: AP)

Malaysian ethnic Chinese men walk barefoot on a bed of burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. During this sacred time, there is a constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests. (Photo: AP)

Malaysian ethnic Chinese men walk barefoot on a bed of burning coals on the final day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. (Photo: AP)