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Devotees celebrate Wesak across the world to mark Buddha's birthday

Wesak Day offers an opportunity for all followers to come together and celebrate Buddha's birthday.

By :  naren pulloor
Update: 2016-05-21 07:56 GMT
A young Buddhist devotee donates alms on Wesak Day, known as Buddha's birthday, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: AP)
Buddhist monks offer special prayers under the secred Bodhi tree on the occasion of 2560th Buddha Jayanti celebrations at the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya.
The reinstallation took place on a national holiday to celebrate what is locally known as Visak Bochea, said to be the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar marking the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
The float was driven some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh to the Oudong shrine. Buddhist monks, government officials, students and laypeople joined the procession on motorcycles and other vehicles.
The relics contained in a golden urn were placed in a float built around a car, resembling a giant golden swan complete with little temples on it. Four Buddhist monks sat on each corner of the float and prayed throughout the journey.
Thousands of Cambodians joined a colorful procession on Friday to return what they believe are Buddha's relics to a mountaintop shrine from where they were stolen three years ago.
A devotee holds an oil lamp ahead of prayers.
Wesak Day, one of the holiest days for Buddhists, offers an opportunity for all followers to come together and celebrate not only Buddha's birthday, but also his enlightenment and achievement of nirvana.
A Buddhist devotee holds an oil lamp in the shape of a lotus flower as she offers prayers.
Devotees light up incense to offer prayers on Wesak Day, known as Buddha's birthday, in Kuala Lumpur.
Wesak Day offers an opportunity for all followers to come together and celebrate Buddha's birthday.

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