Wesak Day celebrations toned down

KUALA LUMPUR: This year's Wesak Day celebrations at the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, will be a subdued affair compared to last year.

“The celebration is toned down this year as we want to channel the funds to cyclone victims in Myanmar and earthquake victims in China,” said Chief High Priest of Malaysia, the Most Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera.

The temple has set up donation boxes in aid of victims in the two countries.
Eye-catching: The chief priest showing the finished float that will form part of the procession on Monday.

The theme for this year's celebration is “Creating a Harmonious Society with Compassion and Equality”.

On the eve of Wesak Day yesterday, devotees started flocking to the temple.

Many stalls were erected along the road leading to it. The stalls will be opened until midnight today.

The temple will be organising a blood donation campaign from 9am Monday.

A candlelight procession from the temple will be held in the evening.

The temple expects about 30,000 people to take part in today's Wesak Day celebrations.