As Tazaungdine Festival (Festival of Lights) is one of the significant days of Buddhism, Myanmar people have been preserving a good tradition with lighting activities in the Tazaungdine festival yearly. The festival was attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Vice-Chairman of the SAC Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife, the SAC Secretary and wife, the SAC Joint-Secretary and wife, members of the SAC and wives, union ministers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chair, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, and officials. The following are the activities in the festival period:
- On 13 November, the Senior General and party attend opening ceremony of releasing hot-air balloons marking the Maravijaya Buddha Image Tazaungdine lighting festival which was held on a grand scale at the water fountain in the Maravijaya Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory.
- The SAC Chairman Prime Minister and wife, and pilgrims watched the release of Seinnaban and Nya Mee Gyi (night flares) hot-air balloons as competitions. They then launched small hot-air balloons and ignited oil lamps together with the pilgrims.
- On 15 November, the Senior General and party also lit 1,000 oil lamps, offered flowers and water dedicated to the Lord Buddha at Shwephonepwint Pagoda in Zeyathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory as enjoying the Tazaungdine lighting festival which coincides with Samañaphala Day.
The Tazaungdine lighting festival was held grandly at the Buddha Park of the Maravijaya Buddha Image in accordance with cultural tradition from 13 to 15 November. During the period, fireworks were launched in addition to the release of Seinnaban and Nya Mee Gyi (night flares) hot-air balloons. The lotus robes were also offered to the Buddha Image for the second time. The precinct of the Buddha Image is illuminated with LED bulbs. Moreover, the precinct is also occupied by shops that sell MSME products, foodstuffs, personal goods and traditional Myanmar snacks. Pilgrims including monks and people enjoyed the theatrical performance of the “Phoe Chit theatrical troupe”, it is reported.
Source: MWD (15-11-2024)
- The SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, and party joined Tazaungdine lighting festival and hot-air balloons launching ceremony.
- During the events, the SAC Chairman Prime Minister and wife, and officials watched the release of Seinnaban and Nya Mee Gyi (night flares) hot-air balloons as competitions. They then launched small hot-air balloons and ignited oil lamps together with the pilgrims. The Senior General and party also lit 1,000 oil lamps, offered flowers and water dedicated to the Lord Buddha at Shwephonepwint Pagoda in Zeyathiri Township as enjoying the Tazaungdine lighting festival.