Vesak Day

Vesak Day is a significant event on the Buddhist calendar. It is a public holiday in Singapore that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Buddha.

In Singapore, this day is celebrated yearly with the faithful visiting their nearest temple, preparing their offerings and then engaging in some rituals.

Each year, monks lead the way by chanting the sutras, and the local people flock to the temples to make offerings to Buddha. During this religious holiday, local people will engage in a ritual known as Dana, an opportunity to show generosity. The Dana celebration involves releasing caged animals and birds. The day is also marked by visiting the poor, and young people will often go to hospitals where they will donate blood.

On Vesak Day, there are candlelight processions throughout the city, and visitors can view these at Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road. As the devotees walk in procession, they pray for peace and ask for personal blessings and repentance.

Some of the most exciting locations to visit during this day include Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, which is Singapore’s largest temple and offers tours of the museum; the Vesak Carnival, which is run by the Buddhist Fellowship and has food stalls, games, music and blessings; and the Amitabha Buddhist Centre hosts an event beside Aljunied MRT Station.

Alternatively, visitors can go from temple to temple to view the many varied celebrations hosted on this day, as there will be activities running from dawn till dusk and well into the night.

Vesak Day is a public holiday in Singapore, so many government buildings and banks will close, but most restaurants and malls will remain open.