18 February

The sacred umbrella or Shwehtidaw was hoisted atop the Lopyae Ayechantha Hsutaungpyae Pagoda in Indakaw Town, Bago Region, at a grand religious ceremony, yesterday morning.

The religious ceremony also included the gold gilding of the pagoda, located at Thawbanayama Shweminwun Sasanayeiktha on Dhammapala Hill, and the offering of provisions to 108 Buddhist monks.

At the ceremony Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the Principal of the Bhamo Monastery in Mandalay, Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dr Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Nine Precepts to the congregations led by Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko and wife.

The rituals including the offering of the Paritta flowers, water, threads and sand to the monks, was performed in accord with the religious practices.

Then, the congregation including the Union Minister and wife, departmental heads and donors presented the Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and offerotries to the monks.

Mahasi Ovadacariya Shweminwun Sayadaw Agga Maha Kammathanacariya Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Sobana delivered a sermon. Then the congregation shared the merits gained.

The Union Minister and wife and donors conveyed the Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw, and the different tiers of the Shwehtidaw and the sacred umbrella round the pagoda clock-wise, and conveyed them atop the pagoda by a decorated carriage. Monks recited religious verses.

Afterwards, the congregation presented provisions to 108 Buddhist monks.—MNA