AS the full moon day of Waso (Dhammacakka Day) is the most sacred day for Buddhists, people flocked to pagodas, temples, and stupas all over the country yes­terday, making efforts to worship, recite and offer Waso robes and flowers also at the religious halls in neighbourhoods and streets.

Similarly, at temples, pago­das, stupas, and monasteries in and around Mandalay, Buddhist monks and people gathered for religious merit, including offer­ings, presenting flowers and robes, donating alms, and re­leasing animals, starting from early morning.

Moreover, in towns, vil­lages, and neighbourhood reli­gious halls, people were capti­vated by the sounds of religious chants and engaged in offering Waso robes and food to monks. The Mandalay Region Govern­ment organized a Waso robe do­nation ceremony for 27 monks at Maha Atula Waiyan (Atu Mashi) monastery in Aungmyaythazan township.

The temples and pagodas: Sanda Muni pagoda, Kuthodaw pagoda, Mandalay Hill, Weer­awsana Jade pagoda, Aungdaw­mu pagoda, were crowded with pilgrims.

Similarly, other signifi­cant sites of Mandalay, like the Myotaw Garden, Yadanabon Zoological Garden, resorts in Patheingyi, U Bein bridge in Amarapura, and Taungthaman Zal Lwin Pyin resorts, were also packed with visitors from all over the country. — Maung Aye Chan, Min Htet Aung/KTZH