GEORGE TOWN: Final preparations for this Sunday's (May 31) Wesak Day celebrations are in full swing in Penang with over 15,000 Buddhist devotees and visitors expected to attend the festivities.
A Bernama survey at the Penang Lee Sih Chong Soo (Lee Kongsi) building at Jalan Burma, this year's main Wesak Day celebration location, found volunteers decorating floats with thousands of fresh flowers and erecting tents.
Penang Wesak Day organising committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said preparations began two weeks ago, adding that the oil lamp-lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday (May 30).
Loh said 23 floats will join the procession for the state-level celebrations with the theme "Bridging through digital, cultivating wisdom together".
The procession will feature floats from various Buddhist temples and organisations. This includes a 4.5m-tall main float from the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA).
The float will be decorated with thousands of fresh flowers and LED lights by a professional team.
The grand procession starts at 6pm on Sunday (May 31).
This annual tradition in Penang dates back to 1949. Preparations are also progressing at Kek Lok Si Temple, Wat Chaiyamangalaram and Wat Buppharam.
Loh said the month-long celebration includes various religious activities and charitable works. The highlight is the procession, but events also include a dinner reception and the presentation of donations.
There will also be Dhamma talks and alms-giving to monks. This year's celebrations have been relocated to Penang Lee Sih Chong Soo instead of the usual MBA building.
The association's headquarters was demolished to make way for a new 15-storey building. Until it is completed, the Wesak eve ceremony and procession will be held at the Lee Kongsi building.
Northeast deputy OCPD Supt Lee Swee Sake said police will close roads along the procession route in stages. Closures will run from 6pm on Sunday until the event concludes at around midnight.
A total of 172 police officers and personnel will be on duty throughout the celebration. Lee advised motorists to plan their journeys and use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion.
Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha. It falls on the full moon of the Vaisakha lunar month.
