Yangon pagodas draw crowds for full moon rites
Thousands of Buddhist worshippers gathered at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda and additional religious sites on Monday to mark Tazaungmone Full Moon Day, also known as Samañaphala Day. Regional Chief Minister U Soe Thein joined military commanders, government ministers, trustees and members of various religious organizations for morning ceremonies held across the platform areas of the golden shrine. Participants carried ceremonial Kathina robes while walking around the monument before presenting offerings to Buddha statues.
Officials placed golden robes before images representing Kassapa, Konagamana, Kakusandha and Gautama Buddha at designated shrines. Attendees later offered food, flowers, water and incense at the collection chambers while presenting alms to senior monks. Dr. Bhaddanta Aggasami, who chairs the Yangon Region Sangha Nayaka Committee, administered the Five Precepts to assembled followers. Bhaddanta Narada from Nyaungdon Pariyatti Monastery delivered a sermon before devotees performed water-pouring rituals.
Parallel celebrations took place at Botahtaung Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye Pagoda, Maha Wizaya Pagoda and Shwe Bone Pwint Pagoda. Citizens throughout Myanmar observed the holy day with robe offerings, scripture recitations and communal meals for pilgrims. Streets, homes and parks displayed candles, oil lamps and decorative lighting while neighborhood markets operated special fairs.
