Wesak Day 2023 in Malaysia falls on a Friday, the 5th of May. This would mean you will have a three-day long weekend to celebrate this day or even go on a short getaway with your family and friends.
If you are a Buddhist celebrating the birthday of Lord Buddha, or if you are planning a trip ahead of the Wesak Day holidays, here are the 10 best things to do during Wesak Day 2023.
Why is Wesak Day celebrated?
Wesak Day, known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as Tibet and Mongolia. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism and Navayana.
How is Wesak Day celebrated?
Wesak Day is celebrated by visiting colourfully-decorated temples to pray, meditate, offer flowers, light candles and joss sticks, and reaffirm the principles of Buddhism. Devout Buddhists are reminded of Buddhist teachings that life on earth is transient. They also pour scented water over statues of the Buddha to remind themselves to purify their minds from greed and lead good lives.
What Food Is Eaten On Wesak Day?
One of the Buddhist teachings prohibits taking the life of any person or animal. Many Buddhists interpret this to mean that you should not consume animals, as doing so would require killing them. Therefore, Buddhists around the world typically abstain from eating meat to reduce the number of animals that have to be killed for food and to pay their respects to the Buddha.
10 Best Places To Visit in Malaysia During Wesak Day 2023
Planning Your Wesak Day Holidays For 2023:
1. Receive Blessings At Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple
Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple is located in Selangor. It was built in 1957 and officiated by the late king of Thailand. During Wesak Day, this temple would be filled with Buddhist devotees for prayers, offerings, blessings, and even meditating. A helpful travel tip would be to rent a car in Selangor to make it easier to move around during your stay in Selangor.
Operating Hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Address: Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, No.24, Jalan Pantai 9/7, Seksyen 10 Petaling Jaya, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone No: 03-7955 2443
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiBuddhistChetawanTemple
2. Light Oil Lamps At Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple
As the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple is located in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, stay in one of these 10 best serviced apartments in Kuala Lumpur while you are visiting. The Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple is a Sri Lankan temple and has become the focal point for the annual Wesak Day Festival. During the celebrations, devotees will offer their prayers, light oil lamps and candles for peace and prosperity, and chase away darkness and evil.
Operating Hours: 8am to 9pm daily
Address: 123, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Phone No: 03-2274 1141
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MahaVihara/
Refer Info On Website3. Offer Flowers To Pay Homage To The Teachings Of Lord Buddha At Thean Hou Temple
On Wesak Day, devotees will visit Thean Hou Temple, a six-tiered temple of the sea goddess Mazu, to offer flowers. It is believed that flowers represent impermanence as the fragrance and beauty of these flowers eventually become scentless and withered. Therefore, offering flowers serves as a reminder to contemplate the Buddhist teachings of the impermanence of all things.
Operating Hours: 8am to 10pm daily
Address: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Phone No: 03-2274 7088
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theanhoutemple
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanhoutemple_kl/?hl=en
Website Info4. Dine On Vegetarian Food To Celebrate Wesak Day
Buddha condemned killing or harming living beings and encouraged reflection or mindfulness. Therefore Buddhist teachings prohibit taking the life of any person or animal. To celebrate Wesak day, try dining on vegetarian food for a day. Check out these vegetarian restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Ipoh. You can also buy some vegetarian snacks to enjoy while on the go.
5. Say Your Prayers At The Pahang Buddhist Association
The Pahang Buddhist Association is one of the most prominent temples in Kuantan, Pahang. The location is tranquil, with a lake garden and a beautiful hill as a backdrop. During Wesak day, Buddhist devotees would visit this temple to pray for good health, wealth, and happiness for the coming year. After completing the prayers, you can consider going to Raub, Pahang, for a relaxing staycation and have an adventure exploring the town. Check out these 8 best things to do in Raub, Pahang.
Operating Hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Address: Pahang Buddhist Association, Jalan Sungai Lembing, Wan Fo Tien Temple, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang
Phone No: 09-573 9644
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pahangbuddhistassociation/
View website6. Light A Lotus Candle At The Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple
In Buddhism, the lotus is associated with purity, spiritual awakening, and faithfulness. The flower is considered pure as it can emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean. It is also a symbol of purity of speech, body and mind. Therefore, thousands of Buddhist devotees will visit the Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple during Wesak Day to light lotus candles and pray for health, prosperity, and luck. While in Penang, you can visit The Habitat Penang Hill and take pictures of the beautiful flora and fauna in the rainforest discovery centre.
Operating Hours: 8am to 4pm daily
Address: 17, Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Penang
Phone No: 016-410 5115
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php
7. Bathe The Statue of Young Prince Siddhartha At The Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA)
On Wesak Day, rent a car in Penang or a bicycle and visit The Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) at Burma Road. There will be a ceremony of bathing the statue of young Prince Siddhartha. Devotees will patiently wait in a long queue and take turns carrying out the ritual, representing cleansing and purification. This ritual reminds Buddhist devotees of the need to purify the heart and mind.
Address: 182, Burma Road, 182, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 04-226 2690
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Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malaysianbuddhistassociation
View website8. Watch The Wesak Day Float Procession In Penang
Stay overnight in one of the 8 best colonial hotels in Penang and join in the fun of the Wesak Day procession. The floats will usually be decorated with fresh flowers from Cameron Highlands. There will also be eye-catching statues and lights decorating the floats. The objective of the annual Wesak Day celebrations in Penang is to strengthen all devotees in establishing a society filled with wisdom, compassion, respect, and gratitude. Before you leave, remember to buy the famous Him Heang Biscuits as a souvenir for your loved ones. Check out these 9 best biscuit shops in Penang.
9. Burn Joss Sticks During Prayers At Wat Siribunyamagaram
Stay in one of the 9 best boutique hotels in Ipoh and visit Wat Siribunyamagaram. During Wesak Day, Buddhist devotees will light joss sticks for prayers to pay homage to the Lord Buddha. The scent of the joss sticks is believed to calm the human spirit and bring luck and prosperity through their prayers. Do rent from one of the 10 best car rental services in Ipoh as their local attractions, restaurants, and shops are scattered around the town, and driving would make moving from one location to another more effortless.
Operating Hours: 8am to 6pm daily
Address: No. 88 & 89, Jalan Tambun, 30350 Ipoh, Perak
Phone No: 05-545 9211
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Google Reviews: Here
10. Admire The Architecture Of The Ling Sen Tong Temple
While in Ipoh, stop by and admire the architecture of the Ling Sen Tong Temple, a beautiful temple located at the foot of a limestone hill. What makes it interesting is that the main compound of the temple has several statues in the form of animals and deities, and other characters from Chinese folklore. Check out more 10 best things to do in Ipoh and have a wonderful trip.
Operating Hours: All-day
Address: Ling Sen Tong Temple, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
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Google Reviews: Here
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