Daylesford Joss House

"On the night of the eclipse, in the neighbourhood of the Old Racecourse," remarks the Daylesford Mercury, "night was made hideous by the sounding of gongs and firing of crackers in the Chinese camp. The commotion being unusual at this time of the year, a number of parties hurried to the scene the uproar to ascertain the cause. It appeared the eclipse of the moon was the cause. On inquiring, we ascertained from a number of the Chinese they were fearful that a big snake or some large animal was about to inflict serious injury on the moon, and thus forever dedeprive the Celestials of her light. In a body, the Chinese were visiting each of the Joss-houses, invoking their gods to assist them in frightening the dangerous enemy to the moon away. On venturing to remonstrate with the Celestials on the absurdity of their idea, we were laughed at for our pains, and no doubt confirmed John's idea of our barbarous nature "

The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 October 1866, p.5. 

Daylesford Temple Boards

Image Courtesy of: Daylesford Museum

Temple panel

Image Courtesy of: Daylesford Museum