GEORGE TOWN: For more than a month, volunteers from Sian Chye Tong Temple in Air Itam here have worked tirelessly to beautify two floats ahead of the Wesak Day procession.
The centrepiece features a 1.3m-tall statue of Lord Buddha and two majestic white horses, each standing about 1.5m tall, mounted on the temple’s 9m-long main float.
A second float carries the temple’s logo and a giant lotus flower, while flower girls will toss petals to devotees and well-wishers lining the streets during Sunday’s procession.
Temple youth section chairman and float designer Loh Choon Teik said volunteers had sacrificed their evenings and weekends to ensure the floats were ready in time.
“The volunteers spent their free time after work decorating the floats.
“They carefully arranged flowers, fixed lights and added the final touches for the grand procession this Sunday.
“Around six volunteers were involved daily to ensure that everything went smoothly and on time,” he said.
In conjunction with the Year of the Horse, Loh said the temple decided to feature two 1.5m-tall white horses on the float.
The main float was decorated with thousands of artificial flowers, including lotuses, roses, orchids, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, carnations, tulips and ferns, creating a vibrant display symbolising peace and compassion.
Loh said LED lights, bulbs and spotlights were also installed to illuminate the float during the night procession.
He said the temple spent about RM8,000 on the floats, with funds raised through the lighting of oil lamps sponsored by devotees and well-wishers.
This year, Loh added, a total of RM12,000 was collected for the temple’s charity fund, similar to last year.
“The funds will be channelled towards helping the needy and supporting various charitable organisations,” he said.
The floats will join the Penang Wesak Day procession on Sunday, which will begin at the Penang Lee Sih Chong Soo (Lee Kongsi) in Jalan Burma.
This year’s procession, themed “Bridging through digital, cultivating wisdom together”, will feature 23 floats from various Buddhist temples and organisations.
The procession will begin at 6pm and follow a 7km route through Jalan Kelawai, Lorong Burma, Lebuhraya Peel, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Perak, Jalan Anson and Lorong Madras before returning to its starting point.
Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha.
Meanwhile, Buddhist temples across the Klang Valley are making final preparations ahead of Wesak Day.
With only three days to go, many temples are putting the finishing touches on decorations and displays for the celebration.
At Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Sri Lankan monk Hangilielle Gnanawimala, who is skilled in art and electrical work, is preparing a giant LED Buddha light board for the celebrations.
It depicts the story of Gautama Buddha and serves as a reminder to devotees of the Buddha’s spiritual journey.
The illuminated board is part of the temple’s annual festive decorations and spiritual observances.
