GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of people gathered here at Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) to join the prayer and chanting session before the main procession that will take place later evening at 6.30pm.
Devotees are seen lighting up joss sticks, offering flowers, taking part in chanting sessions religiously and helping out with community work at the MBA lobby here in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.
This special day marks Buddha's birthday and his attainment of enlightenment as well as commemorating his death.
Penang Wesak Day 2015 procession acting chairman Adrian Pau Kah Kheng, 44, said at least 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected to flood the island later.
"Registered participants for the procession later itself has reached 5,000 people.
"At least 7,000 members of the public are expected join us later during the procession," said the father of three, who had never missed a single Wesak day celebration in Penang in the past 23 years.
The Wesak procession will begin at the MBA building in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and will be passing through Lorong Burma, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Anson and several neighbourhoods around Jalan Kelawai before heading back to the temple.