KUALA LUMPUR: Around 1,000 devotees walked 7km in a procession along several major roads here to commemorate Wesak Day, the day of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.

The procession yesterday, organised by the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul, included five beautifully decorated and brightly lit floats.

Four of them had statues of Buddha while one had two monks sprinkling blessed water on those joining the procession as well as on those watching by the side of the road.

AIR OF FESTIVITY: A brightly lit float that is part of the procession to commemorate Wesak Day passing along a major road in Kuala Lumpur last night.

The procession began from the temple at 7.30pm and proceeded along Jalan Sentul, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Pahang before returning to the temple at 10.30pm.

Devotees and monks from the temple had worked round the clock to complete the floats for the procession.

Earlier, Sri Jayanti Association president Mervyn Weerasena said: “The float is significant to Buddhists because it reminds us of the reason behind Wesak Day celebrations.”

Wesak Day, which is celebrated today, is the most important day in the Buddhist Calendar.

In Penang, monks prayed for world peace at a special ceremony while the Malaysian Buddhist Association forwarded donations to build 50 homes for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

Buddhist monks from various traditions united for a special prayer session at the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Kampar Road on Wednesday night to promote world peace, happiness and harmony.

A 10m-tall effigy of the Buddha which devotees took two weeks to complete was unveiled that night, while 2,550 bulbs were lit at the temple to signify the 2,550th Wesak Day, which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha.

Plants dominated the temple landscape, in line with this year’s green environment theme aimed at encouraging people to make the world a safe place to live in.

Chief Monk Venerable E. Indaratana Maha Thera announced that the association would channel donations to the Amata Foundation to build 50 houses at Amata village in Matara, Sri Lanka, for victims of the Dec 26, 2004, tsunami.

The Mahindarama Buddhist Temple will hold an exhibition on Buddha, a food fair and a charity jumble sale at its Sariputta Community Services Centre today.

Mitta for Life Centre, a new community project undertaken by the temple to assist cancer patients, will be launching its breast cancer awareness campaign.

Video Clip of Wesak Day:
Media Player | Real Video

Related Stories:
Religious bodies have vital role
Ka Ting: Theme carries positive message

• 
• 
• 

More News Nation Headlines      5-0 for BN’s Zambry      Give Zambry a chance, says Najib      MB pledges more progress      Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling      Peaceful gathering outside court      Ruling shows Sultan was right, says A-G      Recusal hearing today      Saiful files report over death threat      Thumbs-up for Najib      PM to share CNY joy with folk of Kg Pandamaran      Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio      Maximum fine for offenders      Don’t forsake safety, motorists told      WWF: Orang asli being used      Move to provide clearer picture of offences under ISA      Govt to fund transport to keep prices constant      60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam      Heartbreaking wait for mum      Pakatan plans retreats      Toyota puts the brakes on problem      Samy Vellu ordered to pay RM1 in costs      Muhyiddin wants all maritime units under one roof      Bleak CNY for fire victims      A chance to pose with ‘God of Prosperity’      Three ways to beat CNY traffic jams to Kota Baru      Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz      State to try and keep Eye in place      Rampaging elephant and calf caught      Newborn girl abandoned at cop’s home      MAS offers CNY bargains      April date for early alert on missing kids      Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen      Canberra to set new skills list      Tighten roadside parking laws, Fomca urges Govt      Pakatan licks its wounds      Norman to head Akademi Fantasia      Cops smash pirated DVD ring      Digital system arrives at Fulldome      Traders warned against raising prices      Subra defends decision to hire 100,000 foreign workers      Hindraf rules out election pact with Pakatan Rakyat      Teoh’s family awaits birth of his child with mixed feelings      Stricter checks on bus firms and drivers Go

News Poll

• 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
• PM to share CNY joy with folk of Kg Pandamaran
• Why begrudge Govt the stamp duty?
• Our mosques under-utilised
• Work language classes into the school curriculum
• Pakatan licks its wounds
• Much to cheer in book ban decision
• West still sees Iran nuclear offers as small change
• Adhere to road etiquette
• Consider training and hiring our locals first

Latest Jobs from Star-Jobs

• Purchasing Executive
• Accountant/Account Eexcutive
• Product Manager/Executive
• IT Executive (Applications)
• Executive, Internal Audit

• Sales Representatives
• Marketing Executive
• Maintenance Assistant
• Security Guard
• Human Resource Executive

Latest from StarProperty

• Festive Chinese New Year home decorations
• WCT unit gets RM467m contract for Bahrain hotels
• Sime Darby will consider good tie-ups
• Resorts World Singapore casino to open this week
• Alison Piotrowicz: View from the top