Pet a wild boar - Strike a lucky number!

What better way to start off the new year is perhaps striking a lucky lottery number and becoming a little richer.

This is what is happening at a compound of a Hindu shrine in Kamunting, Perak. Throngs of lottery punters are making their way to pay a visit to the particular shrine and its nearby woods; the homes of wild boars. It is believed that petting by hand or stroking a wild boar with money notes and use them to buy the lottery numbers will enable pundits to strike their digits. In order for the wild boars to come near within reach, one has to feed them with their favourite foods such as raw tapioca, fruits and noodles. And the most loved food of all has to be nasi lemak (coconut milk rice). Oh yes! That's no surprise, as witnessed by yours truly. The compound, where the wild boars are confined by ropes and posts are literally strewn with nasi lemak wrappers.

Visitors luring the wild boars to come near them with food.

Crowds from near and far will start to flock in from 7.00 p.m. onwards into the late night for the popular attraction. Sometimes, buses and vans will be seen bringing in the visitors. But worry not, spotlights are installed to provide visitors and especially children the visibility to enjoy a prolong petting session.

Wild boars taking a nap in the warm sand after getting their fills.

The daily feeding session, which is signalled by the ringing of the shrine's bell by the priest sends the wild boars scurrying out from the woods for their dinners. Children might squeal with delight to see just one or two piglets, which roam freely outside their usual compound to greet the visitors. They are very lucky indeed.

Majestic-looking male - I have named him, Sir Huxley!

Here's looking at you, KID!"

On average, visitors might be able to see around 10 - 20 wild boars, ranging from small to adult pigs. On other days, only one or two will come out as I have been told.

Location: Travel into Happy Garden, Kamunting - Taiping, Perak (landmark - Tesco Taiping)

Plus points of visit:

• Visitors, who did not bring food for the wild boars are able to buy nasi lemak and other food stuffs at stalls beside the compound.
• Clean toilets and water for washing hands are available on the site.
  
• Visitors may also obtain blessings from the priest at the praying ground.
• And if you ever get lost, locals will be able to guide you to the correct direction.