Nay Pyi Taw November 27
Tazaungdine lighting and hot[1]air balloon launching festival of the Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory began on 25 November and this evening on the fullmoon day of Tazaungdine, Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla attended the ceremony.
Also present together with the Senior General and wife were the SAC Secretary, the Joint SAC Secretary and wife, SAC members and wives, union level officials, union ministers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chair, senior military officers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and officials. The ceremony was crowded with a large number of pilgrims including monks.
The Senior General and wife and attendees watched the setting off of fireworks for religious purpose and the release of hotair balloons. The display of fireworks, the launching of hotair balloons and the release of mini hot-air balloons were held simultaneously.
Then, the Senior General and wife paid homage and offered flowers, water and lights to Maravijaya Buddha Image. They, together with attendees, offered 9,000 oil lamps on the platform. Afterwards they cordially greeted the pilgrims including monks.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Daw Kyu Kyu Hla presen[1]ted cash awards to nine weaving teams that took part in the first ceremony to offer Matho Shwekya Thingan robes to the Image.
The Senior General and wife and attendees enjoyed the setting up of fireworks for religious purpose, release of decorate hot-air balloons and fireworkattached hot-air balloons together with the pilgrims.
After launching the hot-air balloons, the Senior General and wife and attendees paid obeisance to the Buddha image by sending small ones into the sky.
The Tazaungdine lighting fes[1]tival of the Maravijaya Buddha Image was held from 25 to 27 November and it included 9,000 oil lamps offering ceremony, uninterrupted recitation of Maha Pathana, recitation of religious verses by wut associations, display of fireworks, first-time weaving and offering of Matho Shwekya robes, release of decorated hot-air balloons and the balloons that set off fireworks in the air. Moreover, the entire Buddha Park was illuminated with LEDs, local products, foodstuff and personal goods manufactured by MSMEs were displayed at the festival, traditional snack stalls were opened, and artistees from MRTV of the Ministry of Information and Myawady music troupe of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare staged entertainment programs. A large number of pilgrims came to the ceremony and paid homage to the Buddha Image.
