Mandalay Shwesayan to host 78th Buddha Pujaniya Festival

The 78th Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Shwesayan Pagoda in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region, will be organized as usual, according to U Thein Zaw, a chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees.
The festival begins annually on the full moon day of Taboung and attracts pilgrims from all over the country, commencing on the 1st waxing day of Taboung. This year, too, many pilgrims have been seen arriving from the 1st waxing day, and shops from across the country are open and selling their goods.
“The Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Shwesayan Pagoda is a special occasion. The opening ceremony will be held on the 14th waxing day of Taboung, and the festival will continue from the full moon day of Taboung to the 8th waning day of Taboung. The festival has already been busy since the 1st waxing of Taboung. As part of Dhamma Puja, a Maha Pathana treatise recitation is also held. On the 9th waning day of Taboung, alms will be offered to 250 monks. On the 14th waxing day, a traditional dance will be performed as a joyous event, and on the 6th, 7th, and 8th waning days, a Swan Zar Ni troupe will also perform. As usual, about 250 shops from Shan State will open their stalls for the festival. There are more than 700 local shops around Mandalay, bringing the total to over 1,000 shops. The area is already bustling, yet peaceful,” said U Thein Zaw. — ASH/MKKS

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