Happy Wesak Day

Parade for peace and harmony

By HAN KAR KAY
hankk@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of devotees waited patiently along several streets here to catch a glimpse of the grand Wesak Day float procession.

Buddhists from all walks of life braved the traffic congestion as they joined the annual procession that began around 7.10pm at the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) premises in Burma Road.

The 39 exquisite floats made a full circle passing through Pangkor Road, Kelawei Road, Burma Lane, Burma Road, Peel Avenue, Perak Road, Anson Road, Macalister Road and Madras Lane before returning to the MBA premises.

Shutterbugs rushed to capture good shots of the main float which carried a one-tonne Buddha statue and featuring nine ethereal dragons made of colourful blooming flowers such as chrysanthemums and lilies.

Monks on some of the floats sprinkled holy water while devotees could be seen clasping their palms together in prayer during the procession here yesterday.

Penang Wesak Celebrations organising committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said the theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Patriotism and Religious Harmony for a United Malaysia’.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Japan Consul-General to Penang Tetsuro Kai, state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law, state Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Koid Teng Guan.

The committee later presented mock cheques of RM5,000 each to Triple Wisdom Hall and Wat Pinbang Onn, and RM1,000 each to Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion, National Cancer Society of Malaysia (Penang branch) and Wan Ching Yuen Centre.