Nay Pyi Taw November 26
The opening ceremony of the first Matho robe weaving and offering to the Maravijaya Buddha Image in the precinct of the Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory was held at the fountain square in the precinct this evening and Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla attended the ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony together with the Senior General and wife were the secretary of the SAC, the joint secretary of the SAC and wife, members of the SAC and their wives, union level officials, union ministers and their wives, the chairman of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of the Nay Pyi Taw Command and officials. A large crowd of pilgrims including monks and laypersons also joined the ceremony.
First, the ceremony was launched by reciting Namo Tassa three times and Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin read out the Jayamingalar message.
Then, the Senior General and wife opened the ceremony to weave and offer the first Matho robes to the Maravijaya Buddha Image by cutting a ribbon.
Then, Member U Thant Swe of the board of trustees banged the auspicious gong to signal weaving teams to start weaving Matho robes at respective traditional looms. While the teams were weaving robes, artistes from Myanma Radio and Television of the Ministry of Information, cultural troupes of Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, artistes from Myawady Band under the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare performed Myaing Myaing Saing Saing La Tazaungdaing and attendees launched small hot-air balloons and balloons.
Then, artistes from Myanma Radio and Television of the Ministry of Information, cultural troupes of Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, artistes from Myawady Band under the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare entertained the attendees with group dances, traditional drum bands and music.
Then, the Senior General and wife and guests enthusiastically viewed the weaving of Matho robes by the teams at nine traditional looms one after another.
Afterward, the Senior General and wife and guests enjoyed the launching of big hot-air balloons and Seinnarpan hot-air balloons together with pilgrims to the Buddha image during Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival.
Then, the Senior General and wife paid obeisance to the Maravijaya Buddha Image by offering flowers, water and lights to the Buddha image and walking around in the precinct of the Buddha image before offering 3,600 oil lights to the Buddha image together with pilgrims and greeting them cordially.
The Tazaungdaing Festival of the Buddha image is being held from 25 to 27 November in the Buddha Park and festivities such as offering 9,000 oil lights to
the Buddha image, continuous recitation of Patthana, reciting Buddhist verses, launching fireworks, firecrackers, big hotair balloons and offering the first Matho robes are being organized while the precinct of the Buddha park is decorated with LED lights. As MSMEs have also set up stalls selling local products, foodstuffs, consumer products and traditional snacks, members of the public have been invited to make pilgrimages to the Buddha image during the festival.
