A ceremony to hold the hot-air balloon contest to mark the 2024 Tazaungdine lighting festival was held in conjunction with the awarding of the Mathoe lotus robe contest at the water fountain square in the precinct of Buddha Park of the Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory yesterday evening.

Also present at the ceremony were State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, Chair of Government of Russia’ Buryatia Republic Mr Alexey Sambuevich Tsydenov and delegation members, council members and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command and officials, contestants from regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw Council Area in the hot-air balloon contest and lotus robe-weaving contest together with pilgrim monks and people.

The Senior General and his wife, the Chair of Government of Russia’s Buryatia Republic and attendees paid homage to the Maravijaya Buddha Image and offered flowers, water and oil lamps. They also lit oil lamps together.

After visiting the pagoda, they beat Saddhadhipati Bell. The Senior General, his wife and attendees were welcomed by ethnic traditional cultural troupes with traditional dances.

The Senior General and the Chair of the Government of Russia’s Buryatia Republic and delegation members watched the release of hot-air balloons. They also enjoyed releasing the Myat Yaungchi Seinnaban hot-air balloon to mark the Russia-Myanmar friendly relations. The hot-air balloon was decorated with Myanmar handicraft works and pictures bearing a lotus flower and a letter Buryatia.

While making preparations, ethnic cultural troupes performed dances and songs to audiences.

The Senior General and the Chair of Government of Russia’s Buryatia Republic visited the stone plaque chambers. SAC members presented prizes to the relevant winners in the lotus robe weaving contest.

Council member General Mya Tun Oo, the Joint Secretary and the Secretary presented the fifth prize to the Nay Pyi Taw Council team, the fourth to the Kachin State team and the third prize to the Sagaing Region team, respectively.

The SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister gave the trophy, cash award and a certificate of honour to the second prize-winning Taninthayi Region team.

The Senior General presented the trophy, cash award and a certificate of honour to the first prize-winning Mandalay Region team.

Council members handed prizes to relevant winners in the hot-air balloon contest. The Council Secretary and the SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister awarded the third prize winning Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, respectively.

The Senior General presented the trophy, cash award and a certificate of honour to the first prize winner, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) team of the Ministry of Defence.

Council members also gave prizes to relevant teams in the night flare hot air balloon contest. The Secretary and the SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister presented prizes to the third prize-winning Ministry of Border Affairs and the second prize-winning Ministry of Home Affairs, respectively.

The Senior General gave the trophy, cash award and a certificate of honour to the first prize-winning Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The Senior General and his wife cordially greeted audiences to the contests and festivals and pilgrim monks and people.

The Tazaungdine lighting festival was held at the Buddha Park of Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory from 13 to 15 November. During the period, Maha Pathana treatises and religious verses were recited. Moreover, fireworks were displayed, hot-air balloons were released, and the second Mathoe lotus robe-weaving contest was held for the Buddha image. The precinct of the Buddha image was illuminated with LED bulbs. The shops sold MSME products, domestic products, foodstuffs and personal goods. Artistes from the Fine Arts Department and Pho Chit theatrical troupe performed entertainment, crowed with pilgrims and people. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE 36th Matho Thingan (robe) Offering Ceremony and Samañaphala Day will take place at designated locations around the Shwedagon Pagoda on the eve of Tazaungmone full moon and the full moon day itself, as shared by U Bo Thin, a member of the pagoda’s board of trustees.

“Devotional activities will begin with worship at the ancient Buddha statues by circumambulating the Pagoda the Pagoda at 6 pm on the evening before the Tazaungmone full moon (14 November). The opening of the robe weaving competition will be held at the southwest corner of the Shwedagon Pagoda, followed by the awarding ceremony at 11 pm.

The robes woven during the competition will then be crafted into the ‘golden lotus robes’. On the morning of 15 November, the full moon day, the golden lotus robe will be ceremoniously presented to the Padamyar Myetshin Buddha image on the upper terrace, along with other Buddha images throughout the pagoda,” U Bo Thin stated.

Further, the Samañaphala Day alms offering to the Shwedagon Pagoda and its senior monks will commence at 5 pm in the southern guest hall.

Paritta chanting ceremonies are scheduled for 6 am. Preparations are also underway to accommodate pilgrims attending the Matho Thingan Lotus Robes Offering and Samañaphala Day ceremonies, allowing them to spend the night at the Shwedagon Pagoda. — ASH/MKKS

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

STARTING from 16 October, a hot-air balloon company began offering services to both local and international tourists in the Bagan region, showcasing Myanmar’s ancient cultural heritage, including pagodas, temples, statues, and the region’s natural beauty.

Each year, following the Thadingyut Full Moon Day, hot-air balloon companies provide these services, with the fare set at around K600,000 per person.

However, the tourism season in 2021 was suspended due to the global pandemic. In 2022, with resumption of tourism activities, both domestic and international visitors returned to Myanmar’s top destinations, including the beaches, pagodas, and temples.

Bagan saw an increase in tourist arrival numbers during the 2023 Thadingyut Festival, and the balloon rides proved particularly popular again during the 2024 festival.

Balloon operators offer convenient services, picking up passengers from their hotels and serving refreshments like coffee, tea, cookies, and snacks before the flight. The hot-air balloon ride lasts from 45 minutes to an hour. Upon landing, passengers are treated to cold drinks, wine, and banana cake and other snacks before being transported back to their hotels.

Balloons usually launch from Bagan Amazing Golf Club and the hotel zone, making the ride a favourite among both foreign and local tourists, particularly those from Asian countries.

There are currently four hot-air balloon companies providing these services in Bagan, operating from October (starting with the Thadingyut festival) until the first week of April. Additionally, a skydiving company started offering services from 16 October.

Tourists flying over Bagan can enjoy a stunning aerial view of the 3,822 pagodas, temples, and statues, along with the scenic Ayeyawady River, contributing to the promotion of the region’s tourism sector. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/TKO

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Durga Puja festival

Source- MRTV

THE celebration for the International Day of Older Persons took place yesterday morning at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw.

During the event, the Union Minister shared that, according to the 2019 Interim Census, the population of senior citizens aged 60 and above in Myanmar was approximately 5.2 million. This number is projected to increase to over 6.5 million by 2024, based on estimates from the Department of Population.

The Union minister emphasized the need for comprehensive healthcare, support, and social services for older adults, both in Myanmar and globally. The theme for this year’s 26th International Day of Older Persons is “Fostering the Dignity of Older Persons Through Inclusive Care Worldwide”.

The Myanmar National Committee for Older Persons, established in 2017, continues to implement initiatives to protect the rights and welfare of older people. A national social pension scheme, introduced in 2017 aims to provide financial security for seniors. For the 2024-2025 financial year, the scheme is planning to distribute pensions to 110,796 elderly individuals aged 85 and above. As part of the celebrations, Myanmar will continue its tradition of honouring the oldest living grandparents in each state and region with a cash reward of K1 million each.

Additionally, a documentary on the welfare and rights of older people was screened during the event. The Union minister, deputy ministers, and committee members for elder care also donated essential goods, medicines, and monetary giftsto senior citizens. — MNA/KZL

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar