Conveying of Electric Lanterns: Procession held at Shwedagon Pagoda

The Full moon day of Thadingyut occurs during the 7th month of Myanmar calendar and lasts from the day before the full moon till the day following the full moon.

During this period, Myanmar Buddhists performs meritorious deeds at the pagodas and temples while offering lights at the Buddha Image.

On the eve of the full moon day of Thadingyut on Saturday, the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees organized a procession of conveying colorful lanterns on the pagoda’s platform.

The ceremony opened with the recitation of “Namotasa” 3 times.

Members of the Treasurer’s Board of Trustees, the office staffs and religious associations offered electric lamps and lanterns, and circled round the pagoda clockwise.

The ceremony has been organized every year aiming to remember the triple gems, perform good deeds and gain merit.

Htay Hlaing, Members of the Treasurer’s Board of Trustees said "There are a total of 83 religious associations at Shwedagon Pagoda, and today, more than 70 associations are taking part in the procession. For this event, we can use as much manpower as we need but we limited the numbers of participants in accordance with the COVID-19 rules. A total strength of about 300 person including office staffs of Shwe Dagon pagoda and members of Board of Trustees have joined the procession."

Thadingyut festival, the lighting festival of Myanmar, usually lasts for three days: the day before the full moon day, the full moon day and the day after the full moon day. It will be commemorated from October 8 to 10 this year.