GEORGE TOWN: Despite the rain, approximately 1,000 people turned up at the Padang Polo here to offer alms to Buddhist monks and nuns on Sunday (June 26) morning.
The devotees were seen at the field from as early as 7am to offer alms to the monks and nuns from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
Dressed in the dark brown robes usually worn by forest monks, the 60 made their way to the field led by the venerable Phra Ajahn KaiZhao Yuttadhammo where they received food offerings such as rice and cereals into their alms bowls.
The Pindapata - also known as the alms rounds by monks - is held in accordance with Buddhist teachings about accruing merits and washing away suffering.
After the Pindapata, the event moved to the Penang Harmony Centre (Harmonico) with the chanting of prayers to bless Penang and its people.
The prayers were led by the head of monks in Malaysia and Singapore, Phra Ajaan Keng Khemako.
Also present during the event at Harmonico were Bukit Gelugor assemblyman Ramkarpal Singh, Thailand consul-general Raschada Jiwalai, Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Ayer Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng and MBPP councillor John Ooh Sin Hwa from the United Buddhist Order of Penang.
