Nay Pyi Taw November 25
A ceremony to release hot-air balloons to launch the Maravijaya Buddha Image Tazaungdine Lighting Festival took place on a grand scale in the Maravijaya Buddha Park in Dakhinathiri Township, Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw this evening.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the SAC Secretary, the SAC Joint Secretary and wife, SAC members and wives, Union level persons, Union Ministers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior military officers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and officials, and public members including monks and nuns came to watch the ceremony.
First, the Senior General and wife arrived at the venue where the ceremony was to be held. The ethnic nationals from the Myanmar Radio and Television were holding lotus lanterns, while the cultural troupes from the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture were doing a dance of U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe by playing drums.
After that, the Senior General and wife cut the ribbon to open the ceremony.
As soon as the ribbon was cut, 450 small hot-air balloons were released. Fireworks were set off, dance performances were performed with the music of Myaing Myaig Sai Sai Latazaungdine, and the Arojan Seinnapan hot-air balloon was released. The Senior General and wife and those in attendance enjoyed the event.
Next, the Senior General and wife and those in attendance watched the release of hot-air balloons namely Swanahshin (1), Thitsamandine Seinnapan,
Ahmanthit, Seinnapan and Hsinhnakaung Seinnapan.
While preparations were being made to release the balloons, the modern music band from the MRTV of the Ministry of Information, artistes of the Myawady music band from the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare and external artistes performed Yein dances and played songs.
Afterwards, the Senior General and wife paid obeisance to the Maravijaya Buddha Image and offered flowers, water and candle lights. They then walked
around on the platform and offered 3,600 oil lamps together with the pilgrims.
The Senior General and wife walked around on the platform, viewed stone tablet pagodas and cordially greeted the people who came to the Maravijaya Buddha Image Tazaungdine Lighting Festival.
In the Buddha Park, the Tazaungdine Lighting Festival will be held from November 25 to 27. During the festival, there will be other events such as offering 9,000 oil lamps, ceaseless recitation of Maha Pathan, religious recitations by Wut associations, offering firecrackers, release of hot-air balloons and the first-time weaving of Matho Shwekya Thingan robes.
Inside the Buddha Park will be LED lights and there will be booths showcasing and selling local products, food and consumer products from MSMEs, and Myanmar traditional snack shops.
