Over 20,000 crowd expected to throng Wesak procession after a lapse of three years

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A worker getting one of the floats ready for the Wesak procession.

THE Penang Wesak Celebrations Committee is expecting a mammoth crowd of over 20,000 people when it holds the Wesak Procession Ceremony at the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) on May 4 (Wesak Day) after the annual procession was halted for the past three years during the pandemic.

 

Its committee secretary Datuk Lim Gim Hin said they would rely on the police and Rela personnel to help with the security to ensure a smooth running of the programmes on that day.

 

Nuns and workers are busy preparing the lotus-shaped bulbs for the float decoration.
A worker showing one f the colourful bulbs.

 

“During pre-Covid times, we attracted 20,000-odd devotees, visitors and supporters at the annual procession. We feel very happy that we can hold the procession this year after a lapse of three years. I believe there will be a bigger crowd this year.

 

“Our preparation for the Wesak procession since April 8 has been going on smoothly. We had to wash the floats that had become a bit messy since they were lying in a temple ground for some time.

 

“We have a team of 200 volunteers to help in the preparation that includes decorating the floats for the 7km procession. We have 25 organisations from Penang island and Seberang Perai taking part in the procession,” Lim told Buletin Mutiara in an interview at the MBA building in Burma Road today.

 

Lim checking the bulbs on the Wheel of Dhammachakka (Law of Karma) that will be paraded during the Wesak procession.

 

He added that the theme of this year’s Wesak procession is ‘United Progress Towards National Prosperity and Resilient Citizens.’

 

He said the route would be the same as before, starting and ending at the MBA building from 6pm to about 11pm.

 

The procession route covers Burma Road (from MBA building), Pangkor Road, Kelawei Road, Lorong Burma, Burma Road, Perak Road, Peel Avenue, Macalister Road, Perak Road, Anson Road, Macalister Road, Madras Lane, and Burma Road (back to MBA building).

 

Several nuns and workers were seen preparing lotus-shaped bulbs for the float decoration while some were setting up the place for the ritual of bathing the Buddha statue for devotees to seek blessings.

 

Wesak Day is traditionally observed by Buddhists to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

 

The main Buddha statue in the Lim Poon Kim Memorial Hall will also be paraded during the Wesak procession.

 

Story by K.H. Ong

Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud