Aceremony to launch hot-air balloons to mark the Tazaungdine lighting festival was held on a grand scale at the water fountain in the Maravijaya Buddha Park in the precinct of Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory yesterday evening.

On arrival at the venue of the launching ceremony, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla were welcomed by male and female ethnic people holding the oil lamps and national race traditional cultural troupes performing U Shwe Yoe-Daw Moe dance and traditional dances.

The Senior General and his wife cut the ribbon to open the ceremony.

Just then, a total of 500 small hot-air balloons were released with the display of fireworks while dances were presented with the song “Myaing-Myaing Hsaing-Hsaing Latazaungdine”.

The Senior General, his wife and the audience enjoyed the performances. The Senior General, his wife and attendees watched the release of Seinnaban hot-air balloons and night flares as competitions.

While preparations were made to release hot-air balloons, ethnic cultural troupes performed traditional dances, choral dances and songs to audiences.

The Senior General and his wife paid homage to the Maravijaya Buddha Image and offered flowers, water and oil lights. They also ignited 3,600 oil lamps together with attendees at the Buddha image.

The Senior General and his wife warmly greeted the attendees at the ceremony, as well as monks and laypeople on pilgrimage.

The ceremony was also attended by SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the Council Secretary and his wife, the Joint Secretary and his wife, council members and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman and officials.

The Tazaungdine lighting festival will be held at the Buddha Park of the Maravijaya Buddha Image in Dekkhinathiri Township from 13 to 15 November. During the period, a total of 9,000 oil lights will be offered to the image with recitation of Maha Pathana treatise, display of fireworks, release of hot-air balloons and weaving and offering of robes with the use of fabrics from lotus stocks for the second time. Moreover, the Buddha Park will be illuminated with LED lights for public observance and obeisance.

MNA/TTA

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