GEORGE TOWN: Deep in prayer and holding flowers, devotees prayed to the more than 3m-high Buddha statue placed on a float at the Malaysian Buddhist Association here for good health and a good year.
The float with the statue, which will be part of the Wesak Day procession on Wednesday, is at the entrance of the association building in Burma Road for devotees to view and offer flowers which is used for decoration.
Several devotees were also seen holding lighted joss sticks while praying.
Easy does it: Devotees helping to shift the 3m-high Buddha statue from the main shrine to the main float at the association’s building in Burma Road, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Faye Toh, 39, who turned up with her mother Wong Lai Yoong, 73, said she usually tried to come before Wesak Day to offer flowers so that it can be used to decorate the float.
“We also come on Wesak Day to pray and take part in the procession. One can bring flowers of their choice. It is nice to know that it will be used to decorate the float,” said Toh, who works for a courier service company.
Yesterday morning, the Buddha statue was carried out of the association hall and placed on the float.
This year’s state Wesak Day celebration, themed “Living Harmoniously, Thriving Society” is being organised by the association.
Penang Wesak celebration committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said the 4.5m-high float would be among the 23 from various Buddhist organisations in the state which would take part in the procession at 6pm.
“Each organisation will have its own float. The grand procession, which is an annual affair on Wesak Day, will begin and end at our association premises after making its way around several roads here including passing by Thai and Burmese Buddhist temples along Burma Lane,” he said.
Loh said devotees could offer flowers until tomorrow to be used to decorate the float.
“We have a team that will take the flowers and fit it on the float.
“On Wesak eve, there will be a ceremony before we light up the float,” he said.
The 7km procession will make its way along Pangkor Road, Kelawai Road, Burma Lane, Burma Road, Peel Highway, Macalister Road, Perak Road, Anson Road and Madras Lane before making its way back to the association.
