Buddhists yesterday paid homage to Lord Buddha at temples nationwide in conjunction with Wesak Day.
Alms and flowers, along with incense sticks and oil or butter lamps, were offered by devotees, who in turn received the blessings of Buddhist monks on this auspicious day.
More than 50,000 people thronged the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields here over the last two days, culminating in celebrations yesterday.
A total of 20,000 oil lamps were placed on the temple grounds for devotees to light up.
About 10,000 packs of free vegetarian meals were distributed to devotees with an endless supply of drinks.
Activities held in conjunction with Wesak Day celebrations included an exhibition on the life of Buddha, games and colouring contests for children, and a blood donation drive.
A giant paper lantern depicting important events in Buddha's life was specially constructed and placed in the temple.
The highlight of the day was the procession of 30 colourful floats yesterday evening .
Watched by an estimated 150,000 people, the floats travelled through major streets here on a 12km journey which started at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple.
In George Town, a late afternoon downpour failed to hamper the spirits of thousands of people who gathered for the annual procession.
A total of 22 floats from various Buddhist associations in the state began their 7km journey from the Malaysian Buddhist Association premises in Jalan Burma at 6pm.
The main float, carrying a 8m-tall statue of Buddha, was decorated with various flowers, including orchids, chrysanthemums, anthuriums and birds of paradise.
Penang Wesak celebrations committee vice-chairman Khoo Kwan Hock said 35 organisations, comprising schools, temples and Buddhist associations, participated.
In Tumpat, devotees from near and afar flocked to Buddhist temples here.
Celebration in the district with the largest Siamese community in Kelantan was centred at the Wat Prachumtat Chanaram temple in Kampung Jubakar.
Lim Yew Sing, 66, who is paralysed from an accident years ago, travelled all the way from Ijok, Selangor, along with family members, to the temple.
"I have been coming here for Wesak Day since 1987. This time, we have been here since Sunday.
"I always come to pray at this temple as I feel it has brought me good luck. My prayers at this temple have often been answered," said the father of 10.
In Ipoh, devotees thronged the Mekprasit Thai Buddhist Temple, the Wat Siribunya Manggarama temple, the Tung Wah Tong Buddhist Meditation Centre and the Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre.
Thousands made a beeline to the Tibetan-Buddhist temple at the Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre in Tambun, where the highlight of celebrations was the unfurling of a giant canvas painting of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Devotees joined temple workers to roll out the canvas, measuring 60m by 12m, the longest in Southeast Asia, allowing for the Shakyamuni Buddha to absorb the power of the sunlight.
The annual ritual of exposing the painting to the sunlight for about 30 minutes is believed to attract rays of peace, good health, success and harmonious relationships.
After 30 minutes, the canvas is raised chest-high and devotees run back and forth underneath to rid themselves of bad karma and to obtain Buddha's blessings.
Wesak Day is celebrated on the full moon of the Vesakha month to mark the birth of Gautama Buddha, his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and his death.
