GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of Buddhist devotees accompany decorated floats across town during the Wasak Day procession here on Wednesday (May 22).
Adorned in colourful blooms and bright lights, the 23 floats made their way through several roads in George Town for the Wesak Day procession.
The 7km procession started from the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) in Jalan Burma at 6.15pm. It passed through Jalan Kelawei, Lorong Burma, Jalan Perak, Lebuhraya Peel, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Anson, Lorong Madras and several neighbourhoods before heading back to the MBA building at before midnight.
The roads were closed to traffic during the procession.
Devotees participated by carrying flowers and candles. Floats from different societies and temples joined the procession in this year's celebration.
Present to launch the procession was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow,
MBA president Datuk Seri Venerable Seck Jit Heng and Penang Wesak Celebrations committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun.
Organised by the Penang Wesak Celebrations committee since 1949, the annual event is observed by Buddhists as a religious event to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing) of Siddharta Gautama Buddha.
This year's celebration theme was "living harmoniously, thriving society".
