Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Images begin procession for worship

On 13 October, the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha images were conveyed to the Indein San Kyaung, and from there to the Heya Ywama San Kyaung to be venerated by devotees.

Starting from 12 October, as per annual tradition, the Buddha images  began their tour across 21 locations in Inle to receive homage.

At the opening ceremony, the presiding monk Sayadaw U Dhamma Vacaka along with the Venerable Sangha consecrated the Buddha images. Regional ministers, officials, state/district/township department heads, members of the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Board of Trustees, officials, and well-wishers then offered food and offertories.

“This year is livelier than previous years. This morning, the Phaung Daw Oo Buddha images departed and  they will return on the 3rd Waning Day of Thadingyut, so we warmly invite everyone to come and pay homage,” said a local woman from a floating garden.

The images will proceed from 12 to 29 October. The Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Southern Shan State, traditionally featuring unique leg-rowing boat races, and typically attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during the festivities.

Htun Htun/ZN