Bullock cart competition kicks off Tatkon Maha Kathina ceremony

Nay Pyi Taw officials launched a three-day traditional bullock cart race and cattle exhibition on Friday as part of the 55th Tatkon Maha Kathina religious ceremony at the township stadium. Council Chairman U Than Tun Oo opened festivities by cutting a ceremonial ribbon before addressing attendees that included council members, government officials and welfare groups. Organizers scheduled 28 carts to compete through Sunday, and the chairman awarded cash to performers from the Shwe Thansin elephant dance troupe.

U Than Tun Oo later visited No. 14 Basic Education High School in Zeyathiri Township to observe cleanup efforts coordinated between government workers and residents. Officials there also operated a market selling essential goods at controlled prices.

That afternoon, the chairman toured road repair projects across Zabuthiri, Dekkhinathiri and Lewe townships damaged during the March Mandalay earthquake. He examined resurfacing work and landscape improvements before issuing guidance to construction crews. The visits demonstrated continued government efforts to restore infrastructure seven months after the seismic disaster that killed thousands and destroyed hundreds of miles of roadway throughout central Myanmar.