Photos:: Lunar New Year in Southern California

Dancers perform at the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster, marking the first day of the Lunar New Year.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Dancers perform at the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster marking the first day of the Lunar New Year.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jefferson Huynh, 2, of Westminster, explores the colorful firecracker debris Asian Garden Mall after the Lunar New Year celebration.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors to Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights take part in services early Thursday marking the first day of the Lunar New Year.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Hsuan Chang, holding an incense burner, leads a Lunar New Year pilgrimage before sunrise Thursday at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Yuan offers incense on the first day of the Lunar New Year at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A devotee offers incense on the first day of the Lunar New Year at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The Lunar New Year is celebrated early Thursday at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Miss Chinatown walks out of the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Dragon dancers perform to help ring in the year of the ram during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands of firecrackers are set off in an effort to awake the spirits during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands of fireworks give off light and smoke during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Dragon dancers perform with pyrotechnics in the background at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A man lays down an offering after thousands of fireworks were lit in an effort to wake up spirits during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Incense sticks are placed at various locations in the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration that began late Wednesday night.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A man worships inside the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The year of the ram is rung in during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A woman prays inside the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The year of the ram is rung in during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The Lunar New Year was observed at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown in a celebration that began late Wednesday night.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A man carrying a roasted pig leaves the the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during a Lunar New Year celebration. The pig had been laid down as an offering.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A dragon dance team readies its costumes before the start of a Lunar New Year celebration at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown on Wednesday night.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A dragon dancer takes a break after an energetic display during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Thien Hau Temple in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)