This weekend the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple will celebrate the 21st Annual Vesak Celebration and Garden Festival, giving a glimpse of Southeast Asia to Southeast Texas.

Ornate gates and tall bamboo give way to statues and lotus blossoms in the tranquil setting of the temple grounds at 2701 Procter St.

The festival is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and a cultural show will be held from 5 p.m. until late on Saturday.

The Rev. Tri Quang and others were busy on the temple grounds Thursday preparing for the crowds that will visit this weekend. Two men stood on ladders putting up banners on one building while one of the nuns sorted through items that will be for sale.

Quang hopes to see 1,000 people visit the temple and grounds Saturday and Sunday.

“People came come here and enjoy the temple ground and the Vietnamese culture,” Quang said.

Food vendors will have cultural treats for sale inside one of the buildings and there will be musical entertainment.

And as always visitors can roam the grounds and take photos and enjoy the three separate garden areas.

The main ceremony called Vesak celebrates the 2,643^rd birthday, 2608^th enlightenment and 2563^rd peaceful attainment of the Buddha.