Winners awarded in hot-air balloon contest, Mathoe lotus robe weaving contest 2024 at Tazaungdine lighting festival at Maravijaya Buddha Image

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