DOUBLE CELEBRATION: Buddhist and Hindu devotees throng temples during the double celebration of the Wesak Day and the Chitrapournami festival in George Town. — Bernama photo
GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of Buddhist and Hindu devotees thronged temples throughout Penang yesterday to welcome Wesak Day and the Chitrapournami festival or known as mini-thaipusam.
The Wat Buppharam Thai Buddhist Temple at Jalan Perak, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple at Burma Lane and the Penang Buddhist Association along Anson Road saw massive crowds.
Chief monk at Wat Buppharam Temple, Phra Kru Phothitummawat said the Wesak Day procession, which started last night, will continue today with devotees lighting up the night with lotus candles and lanterns.
Meanwhile, thousands of Hindu devotees gathered at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple in Waterfall Road here for the Chitrapournami festival, a Tamil ritual observed on the full moon day in the month of Chitirai.
Temple committee chairman P Kuvena Raju said Chitrapournami festival was normally celebrated in April but this year the celebration fell on the same day as Wesak Day. — Bernama