Under the leadership of Si­tagu Sayadaw, Member of the State Administration Council U Maung Ko, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn and Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung hoisted an umbrella atop Sitagu Sanchi Stupa near Htonbo Vil­lage of PyinOoLwin Township yesterday morning.

 

Sitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nyanissara administered the Five Precepts. Well-wishers and attendees conveyed the umbrella, the pennant-shaped vane and the diamond orb round the stupa three times.

 

After hoisting the umbrel­la, the pennant-shaped vane and the diamond orb atop the stupa, they performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremony. The SAC mem­ber, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister planted three Bo trees and a Buchanania latifolia sapling starting from the south-east corner.

 

The Sitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha con­secrated the Stupa. Then, well-wishers donated cash to the fund of the stupa.

 

Sitagu Sanchi Stupa which is a replica of Sanchi Stupa built by King Asoka near Sanchi of India in the 3rd Century was built by well-wishers led by Sitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nyanissara on 2.19 acres of land near Htonbo Village of PyinOoLwin Township. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on 9 May 2022 and the cor­nerstones laid on 14 May 2022. The 37 feet high stupa is con­structed on the three feet high platform within nine months. A total of 32 Buddha images in various forms including Mar­avijaya bronze Buddha image in the cultural works from the 1st Century to the 19th Century as Yadanabon era are kept in the stupa. Construction of the stupa cost more than K600 mil­lion. —MNA/TTA