Royal White Elephant: RahtaNandaka celebrates first birthday

The royal white elephant, "RahtaNandaka," turned one year old, and a birthday celebration was held on Sunday. The celebration was attended by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council and wife, along with other officials.

The celebration followed the agenda, including reading out his biography, sprinkling scented water on his body, paying homage to Uppata Sandhi Pagoda by RahtaNandaka, and giving birthday blessings. Then, the Prime Minister and wife presented birthday presents to the officials, after which they enjoyed feeding the royal white elephant and his mother.

The ceremony continued with candle blowing, making a birthday wish, and the release of 10 white doves in commemoration of the birthday.RahtaNandaka was born from a 33-year-old female elephant called Zar Nan Hla, kept by the Myanma Timber Enterprise in Taungup Township of Rakhine State on July 23, 2022.

The baby elephant stands at two feet and five inches in height, three feet and one inch in girth, with a birth weight of about 180 pounds. It possesses seven out of eight unique characteristics of white elephants, such as pearl-colored eyes, a plantain branch-shaped back, white hair, a distinctive tail, auspicious plot signs on the skin, reddish-brown or pinkish skin, five claws on the front legs and four on the back legs, and big ears.

RahtaNandaka arrived at Nay Pyi Taw on 27th October 2022 together with his mother. At present, his height has grown to 3 feet and 10 inches, and his weight is 670 pounds. He is now living happily at the Royal Elephant Hall in the compound of Nay Pyi Taw Uppata Sandhi Pagoda.

The title “RahtaNandaka” means the precious white elephant beloved by the country which will bring prosperity and happiness to the country, and he is the 10th royal white elephant in the country.