GEORGE TOWN: The Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Jalan Kampar shined brightly today with candles flashing the night piercing through the moonbeam.
A total of 2,559 candles were lit by devotees to mark the 2559th year of Buddha's teaching and dispensation, calculated from the year Buddha attained 'Maha Parinibbana Sutra'.
'Maha Parinibbana Sutra' is a sanskrit word which means the end of the Buddha’s physical existence, in other words, the passing away of Buddha.
The Mahindarama temple committee chairman Kung Kok Chye said the candle-lighting activity on the eve of Wesak Day is carried out annually to symbolise the lighting of darkness and people's faith that was shone through the generations.
"The significant of candle lighting is to get rid of the darkness surrounding us and also within us.
"God has not only given us the chance to light the candles but also to kindle and strengthen the light between one another during the process.
"Lighting candles around the temple would pierce the dark, beaming joy in every spark and brightens the night so amazingly," he said.
Kung said tomorrow, devotees from some 35 Buddhist temples and associations in the state would gather at Malaysian Buddhist Association in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah around 5pm to join the holy procession.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the procession tomorrow on Wesak Day 2015.