Golden pagoda set to shine at Wesak Day parade


Crowning glory: Volunteers who have been working round the clock add the finishing touches to the float at Sian Chye Tong Temple in Hye Keat Estate, Ayer Itam. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: A 1.5m-high golden pagoda surrounded by six mini golden pagodas will adorn the 9.14m-long float being prepared by volunteers at the Sian Chye Tong Temple in Ayer Itam for Wesak Day celebrations this Thursday.

The 1.37m-tall statue of Lord Buddha will also be placed in front of a large luminous lotus flower on the float.

Temple youth section chairman Loh Choon Teik said volunteers took more than a month to decorate the float as well as the temple premises.

He said the float will also be decorated with 1,000 different types of artificial roses, orchids, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, carnations, tulips and ferns.

“LED lighting, bulbs and spotlights have also been added to brighten and beautify the float.

“Some 15 volunteers comprising members of the temple worked day and night to complete the float so that it will be ready in time for the procession on Wesak Day,” he added.

Loh, who oversaw the overall design for the celebration at the temple this year, said the cost of the artificial flowers and lighting of the float came up to about RM8,000, which was contributed by members and from temple funds.

He said every year without fail, the temple celebrates Wesak Day in a grand fashion with a colourful floral float decorated by its members.

“Devotees and members flock to the temple every year on the eve of Wesak Day with their families to take part in the Buddha -bathing ceremony. This has been the tradition for more than 40 years,” he added.

Loh said besides the main float for the procession, there will also be another float from the temple in the procession.

In conjunction with Wesak Day every year, the temple also raised funds through the oil lamp lighting ceremony and donations from well-wishers, said Loh.

A charity fund will also be organised and donations channelled to the needy.

Loh added that amid the pandemic last year, the temple youth section managed to collect RM8,000 and had distributed it to 10 charities.

“On the eve of Wesak Day, the celebration will begin with the lighting of oil lamps; there will also be speeches, presentation of souvenirs and presentation of cheques to various charitable organisations.

“There will also be an official opening of the Buddha float by several VIPs and main sponsors, and the chanting of prayers for world peace and harmony, as well as the Buddha statue bathing ritual at the temple,” he said.

Loh added that the temple hoped to collect RM10,000 this year to be distributed to deserving charity organisations.

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