Grand Wesak Day Celebration In Malaysia Despite Covid-19 Fears

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- Wesak Day was observed on a grand scale among Buddhists in Malaysia Thursday, albeit with some masking up and staying vigilant to the lingering spectre of COVID-19 after two years of muted celebration.

A check by Bernama  in several states found that Buddhists and their families started visiting temples early in the morning to perform religious ceremonies to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta Gautama Buddha, the founder of the religion.

In the state of Kedah, hundreds of Buddhists flocked to Wat Nikrodharam Temple in Alor Setar as early as 7am to conduct prayer rituals.

Tan Juay Kok, 43, from Taman Gunung Hijau (in Alor Setar) said he came to pray at 8.20am and did not find it crowded yet inside Wat Siam Teluk Wanjah, as it is better known.

“There are still not too many people, so that makes it a breeze for me to conduct the prayer ceremony and even though it is not mandatory to wear face masks, many worshippers were masked up as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19,” he told Bernama.

Tan Hooi Chia, 38, from Taman Saga, Alor Setar, who brought along her one-year-old son, said she arrived at 9am to avoid any jostling as a caution against COVID-19.

In Selangor state, a check at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, which saw devotees arrive as early as 8 am, found most of the faithful donning face masks during the prayer ceremony while the temple took the initiative to hold free health screenings.

In the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, honorary secretary of the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardana Association for the Maha Vihara Brickfields Buddhist Temple, Tilak Leslie said this year’s Wesak Day atmosphere was more vibrant and livelier than last year following the under control COVID-19 situation.

He said his temple is targeting 25,000 to 30,000 people who will flock here to celebrate Wesak Day and Transport Minister Anthony Loke is scheduled to be present to launch the float and candlelight procession at 6pm today.

He said about 12 decorated floats will delight devotees and tourists alike in the 12-kilometre procession, which is a four-hour parade starting at the Maha Vihara Buddha Temple, passing through Little India, Pasar Seni, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang and then back to the temple.

-- BERNAMA