Buddhists on a journey of faith and devotion
PETALING JAYA: Preparations for Wesak Day are in full swing, with organisers and devotees putting final touches on what promises to be a vibrant and meaningful celebration.
Chempaka Buddhist Lodge president Lawrence Phuah said the highlight of the festival here would be the procession floats with a sitting Buddha, towering about 10ft (3.048m) high.
'It's the biggest so far in our 40 years (since Chempaka Buddhist Lodge was formed).
'We are also expecting to see devotees from all walks of life, including from the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in this year's procession,' he said in an interview.
Phuah advised those planning to join the procession to take care of themselves and to be careful on the road.
To ensure that no one is left out of the procession, Chempaka Buddhist Lodge will be providing a van for senior citizens, who may not be able to walk long distances.
Previously, Bernama reported that around 25,000 devotees are expected to join the Wesak Day float procession, which starts at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields today.
Ready to go: Volunteer GC Yong making final touches to one of the floats for the Wesak Day procession at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Petaling Jaya. — ART CHEN/The Star
Joint Wesak Celebration Committee chairman Ng Yong Pau said the procession, featuring about 30 floats, will start at 6pm from the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Jalan Berhala.
It will pass through Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Jalan Gereja and Jalan Raja Chulan.
The procession will then return to the temple via Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad on the same day, completing about a 12km journey in four hours.
In Penang, the celebration is expected to attract more than 10,000 Buddhists and visitors.
State Wesak Celebration Committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said his team started preparations for Wesak Day in the past two weeks to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Themed 'Foster True Compassion and Wisdom, Forge True Peace and Harmony', this year's celebration in Penang will feature a grand parade today, starting at 6pm, a tradition since 1949.
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