Lawkananda Pagoda holds annual Buddha Pujaniya festival, rowing competition

THE annual Buddha Pu­janiya Festival of the his­toric Lawkananda Tooth Relic Pagoda, located on the bank of the Ayeyawady River, will be celebrated on a grand scale throughout the month of Wagoung, be­ginning in the early days of the waxing period.

As part of the religious ceremonies, continuous rec­itation of the Maha Pathana treaties will commence on the 3rd Waxing Day of Wag­oung. On the evening of the 7th Waxing Day, local youths will lead a lively procession accompanied by tradition­al music as part of a grand food-offering ceremony. On the morning of the 8th Wax­ing Day, alms-bowl donation ceremonies featuring local produce such as beans, ses­ame and onions will be held for members of the Sangha in NyaungU Township.

A major highlight of the festival is the tradition­al rowing competition held on the Ayeyawady River. On the 7th Waxing Day, farm­ers from the opposite bank will arrive in traditional rowboats to pay homage in accordance with ancient customs. Throughout the festival, rowing enthusiasts from various regions will participate in organized rac­es, with cash prizes award­ed to the winning teams by the event organizers.

The festival pro­gramme will also feature anyeint performances, theatrical shows (zat-pwe) and traditional sports com­petitions. In addition, the pagoda hosts various an­nual religious observances, including ceremonial wash­ings of Buddha statues on New Year’s Day, banyan tree-watering ceremonies on the Full Moon Day of Ka­son, and the floating of 1,000 oil lanterns and flowers on the Ayeyawady River on the Full Moon Night of Thadin­gyut. — TWA/TH