For Buddhists Vesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. This is my very first time at Bright hill temple ; it is a huge compound in the center of Singapore.
Bright Hill temple also known as Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, is famous for the “3 Steps 1 Bow ceremony” on the eve of Vesak Day.
Above are monks who are opening the procession. The ceremony starts at 5pm and takes 2 and half hours to complete ending with the monks back in the main hall blessing the devotees with water.
Monks are followed by lay people who will queue all evening and a big part of the night. One people I know said he will go at 3am.
Below people queuing at the start of the procession
The main halls are also the occasion to pray and give offerings; mostly candles.
During the day itself, ritual is generally the bathing of the Buddha.
Most shots done with Leica M262 and Summicron 28mm, close ups with Elmarit 90mmF2.8.
Some film shots (with black border) done with Leica M6 on Fuji Xtra 800ISO with same lenses.
How to get there: Bright Hill is quite central (like in the middle of the island) but may take some time to reach. You can get a bus there (check gothere.sg) which will take close to one hour from CDB or take a cab (more of less 15 SGD).
Devotees and temple staff are quite photo friendly, so as long as you are decently dressed and don’t go in the middle of ceremony you feel welcome to shoot. There is actually a small crowd of photographers.
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