THE Buddha Pujaniya Festival at the Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda in Monywa, Sagaing Region, will be held on a grand scale on the full moon day of Tazaungmone, according to a member of the pagoda board of trustees.

Previously, during the Buddha Pujaniya Festival at the Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda, around 150 monks from major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, Pakokku, and Monywa, as well as from surrounding areas, werinvited to receive alms. Last year, 75 monks from Monywa and the surrounding areas were offered food and water, and this year, 80 monks are planned to be offered the same.

For those who plan to sell goods during the pagoda’s Buddha Pujaniya Festival, stalls will be allocated on the ninth waxing day of Tazaungmone.

The Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda is located within the Mohnyin Monastery in Myaynae Village, more than seven miles southeast of Monywa Township. Construction of the pagoda began on the fifth waxing day of Waso in 1301 ME and was completed on the third waning day of Tabaung in 1314 ME.

The Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda is held every year in the waxing of the Tazaungmone. The festival is not accompanied by musical entertainment, but it is celebrated on a grand scale, featuring alms-giving ceremonies, sermons, and offerings of rice. — ASH/TH