About 8,000 devotees packed the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on Saturday night for a candle-lit procession for an early Vesak Day celebration.

They were joined by Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, at the event jointly organised by the monastery and the Singapore Buddhist Federation.

The ceremony, during which a flame is passed from one lotus-shaped candle to the next, signifies the passing on of Buddha's teachings.

Nine sets of lanterns, including a 108m-long dragon lantern, were also lit up in a ceremony at the Bright Hill Road site. The display will light up every weekend from 7pm to 10pm until May 25. On Vesak Day eve, it will be switched on from 7pm to 7am, and on Vesak Day from 7pm to 10pm.

Buddhists commemorate Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death on Vesak Day, which falls on May 13 this year.