Religious Ceremony: Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Images in Nyaung Shwe

A ceremony was held on Saturday to convey the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Images to the Ahttaditha Dhamma Vihara Monastery in Nyaung Shwe.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and wife, the SAC Secretary and its members and their wives, the Union Ministers and their wives, the Shan State Chief Minister, senior military officers, Eastern Command Commander, invited guests, as well as local ethnic people and tourists. The event began with a traditional cultural performance by ethnic cultural dance troupes.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister and his entourage visited the Phaung Daw Saik Hall to pay homage to the arrival of the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Images. Following this, the Buddha Images were placed on a decorated float for a procession around Nyaung Shwe.
The ceremony included an Inle traditional boat race with various events, such as the 46-oar men's event, over 100-oar men's event, men's individual event, and 26-oar women's event.
After the completion of the events, honorary prizes were awarded to the decorated boats, as well as consolation awards and recognition for the first and second place winners in each event.
Later, the Prime Minister and party arrived at the Ahttaditha Dhamma Vihara Monastery, where the Buddha Images would temporarily reside for obesiance. As a gesture of welcome, members of the Sangha offered gold foils to the Buddha Images.
The Prime Minister and wife also offered meals, water, flowers, and light to the Buddha Images. Subsequently, they donated gold foils to the Buddha Images. The ceremony continued with the recitation of Namotasa three times, signifying the arrival of the Buddha Image in Nyaung Shwe.
The Prime Minister and party received the Five Precepts from the Patron Sayadaw of Kangyi Monastery and listened to the sermons. They then offered offertories to the Sayadaws and shared the merits gained. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister and wife made a cash donation for the all-round renovation of the Ahttaditha Dhamma Vihara ရ Monastery.