Offering 9,000 Oil Lamps: oil lamps offered at Maravijaya Buddha Image

In accordance with the traditional custom of offering oil lamps to the Buddha, a ceremony to light 9,000 oil lamps and release hot-aired balloons took place on the platform of Maravijaya Buddha Image, the tallest of its kind in the world and situated within the Buddha Park in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory on the evening of Thadingyut full moon day (Abhidhamma Day) which falls on 17th October.

The ceremony to light 9,000 oil lamps was attended by the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman U Than Tun Oo and wife, Deputy Minister for Energy, Nay Pyi Taw Council members and their wives and officials concerned, pilgrims from various regions offered oil lamps and released hot-aired balloons.

The pilgrims from various regions observed the Maravijaya Buddha Image, sacred chambers, Thudhamma public rest houses, Mucalinda pond and dragon coiled Buddha image and Agga Dhipati Sasana Beikman ordination hall, Thaddhadhipati bell, stone plaque chamber pagodas and other religious and leisure areas in the Buddha Park, and practiced meditation, offered oil lamps and released hot-aired balloons.