Wesak Day float procession to make a comeback

Kuala Lumpur is gearing up for the annual Wesak Day celebration, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.

Wesak Day 2023 falls on May 4th, and the Joint Wesak Celebrations Committee (JWCC) has organised several activities, including the float procession in the evening, which is making a comeback after virtual programmes were held in the past years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Wesak Day celebration will be held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, with an estimated 25,000 devotees and visitors expected to participate. The floats, made by devotees from different societies and temples, will follow a 12km route after its launch by Transport Minister Anthony Loke at 6 pm.

The floats will start from Buddhist Maha Vihara at Jalan Berhala and move along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Jalan Gereja, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock before returning to the temple in about four hours.

JWCC chairman Ng Hong Pau said at a press conference, “We estimate that about 10 to 15 colourfully decorated floats will participate. The theme for this year’s Wesak celebration is ‘United Progress Towards National Prosperity and Resilient Citizens.’”

Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana hopes that this year’s celebration will attract more young devotees.

The JWCC, comprising 61 Buddhist temples and societies in the Klang Valley, will be organising several other activities leading up to Wesak Day, including almsgiving and visits to charitable homes, and their annual blood donation drive with the National Blood Centre will also return on Wesak Day.

Wesak Day is a public holiday observed by Buddhists in Malaysia. It is a day that sees devotees visiting temples for prayers, offerings, and chanting. The return of the float procession this year has brought joy to the Buddhist community.

JWCC honorary secretary-general A. Hemadasa said, “We are excited to have the float procession back this year. It is a significant part of our celebration, and we are looking forward to seeing the beautifully decorated floats parading through the city.”

The Wesak Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur is a significant event that brings together the Buddhist community in Malaysia. The return of the float procession this year has created a sense of excitement and anticipation.