Vesak Day: Another Highlight in Chinatown

If you've been wondering what all these colorful lanterns are about in Chinatown the last few days, here is the explanation: Vesak day and Vesak celebrations are on their way. This marks another highlight in Singapore's event calendar.
Celebrated on the 30 May originally though the festival will start on 19 May with the light up ceremony and will end on 1 June.

Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of Lord Buddha. Celebrate this holy event by spreading warm wishes and love everywhere.The day starts with chanting of the sutras by saffronclad monks, while devotees visit the temples to pray and meditate and to make offerings. Acts of generosity known as dana are observed by Buddhist organizations and temples. These include the freeing of caged birds and animals, visiting and giving alms to the poor and needy, while some Buddhist youths organize mass blood donation at hospitals. The celebration concludes with a candlelit procession through the streets.Observers as well as devotees are welcome to join in the celebration at Buddhist temples.

The new Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Musuem (BTRTM) is organising this Chinatown Vesak Festival in line with the launch of the BTRTM:
- Street light-up of South Bridge Road (19 May- 10 June)
- Vesak Parade (30 May)

- Vesak Countdown (30 May)
- Soft Opening of the BTRTM (early morning of 31 May)

- Vesak Charity Carnival (30 May-1 June)