Nay Pyi Taw bustles with devotees during Thadingyut Full Moon Festival

 

ON the occasion of the Thadingyut Full Moon Day (Abhidhamma Day) yesterday, Buddhist devotees across the country engaged in various religious activities at pagodas and stupas. Offerings of alms, flowers, water, and oil lamps were made in reverence, accompanied by the practice of Sila (precepts) and meditation.

In Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, prominent pagodas and stupas saw a considerable gathering of worshippers observing traditional Buddhist customs. The day’s events included offerings at Letloktaung Shwenanthwin Pagoda, Shwelwantaung Pagoda, Nayyaungpya Inn Pagoda, and other prominent pagodas across Dekkhinathiri, Lewe, Pyinmana, and Ottarathiri townships. Devotees participated in acts of merit-making by offering flowers, water, and oil lamps in devotion to the Lord Buddha and observing the Eight Precepts.

In the evening, a grand ceremony at the Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township featured the lighting of 9,000 oil lamps in homage to the Maravijaya Buddha Image, one of the most revered and tallest Buddha images. The event was overseen by the Nay Pyi Taw Council, drawing a large number of devotees. Hot-air balloons were also released as part of the celebration.

Similarly, special ceremonies were held at Uppatasanti Pagoda in the morning, with a significant turnout of devotees from Nay Pyi Taw and surrounding areas. These ceremonies also included the lighting of oil lamps in the evening as an act of devotion.

Elsewhere in Nay Pyi Taw, popular locations like Ocean Super Centre, Junction Centre, and Nay Pyi Taw Wholesale Market were packed with shoppers. Meanwhile, Mingala Lake Park, Nay Pyi Taw Fountain Garden, the National Landmarks Garden, and the Nay Pyi Taw Zoological Gardens saw numerous visitors enjoying the holiday festivities.

Across various urban neighbourhoods and villages, residents also paid homage by lighting oil lamps and releasing hot-air balloons in deep reverence for the Buddha. Many families took the opportunity to pay respects to their elders and teachers, making the occasion one filled with merit and tradition. — MNA/ KZL