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This festival of Tazaungmon is an auspicious time for
offering of yellow robes to the monks. The Buddha’s mother,
reincarnated as a god in Tavatimsa, perceived from her
heavenly abode that her son would soon be discarding, the
royal robes and wearing a monk’s garments. She wanted to
provide the yellow robes of the monk and she had only a
night’s time. But she had it woven in a single night and
offered to the Prince (Siddhata) by a celestial messenger.
In commemoration of this event weaving competitions of
yellow robes are held all over the country.
An offering of Kathein thingan (ceremony for offering of
yellow robes) to the monks is usually a big affair in large
cities of Myanmar. Offering ceremonies consist of a thousand
and one gifts pooled by the whole town beside the prime gift
of Yellow robes. The Kathein festivals account for the
greatest significance in Tazaungmone.
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On the occasion people enjoy fun and merriment by holding
firework-launching competitions. The firework is in the form
of rockets. There is also hot balloons competitions on the
day and night occasions. Day balloons are usually in the
form of Pagodas, and animals such as elephant, dragon or
ducks while the night balloons usually in the shape of rugby
ball, huge elongated paper balls with small lighted
multicolored paper lanterns hung around their sides and
balloons would sting along fireworks and fire sticks which
are set off mid-air fireworks.
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Tazaungmone in Myanmar Calendar is the month of November. It
is among the 12 months when the rainy season ends and winter
comes in. At that time, in Myanmar, the seasonal Khawei
flowers are in full bloom. On the night of full moon day of
Tazaungmone, 9,999 candles were lighted and offered to
Koehtatkyi Pagoda in SanChaung Township, Yangon Division.
On the auspicious night, the word ‘Atula Dipati Mahamuni
Thetkya Koehtetgyi Badhha’ if add, you will get the number 9
which we called Koenawin and the omen which means free of
enemies and diseases, exactly, we started to light of 9,999
candles and offered them to Buddha.
9, 999 candles were lit around the pagoda in groups and to
get the best place, they have to draw lots. At designated
place the groups started to prepare for the festivity at 2
in the afternoon.
At four the music artistes played the traditional harp and
offer music to the Buddha. In the evening at about 5:22
p.m., the grand ceremony commenced. All those present first
take the five precepts and say the prayers for offering the
lights unanimously and unison.
At 6:09 exactly, the Master of Ceremonies gave 11 minutes
for people to take up position. Before long, the sound of
Aka Ratu came out. All electric bulbs were then put out on
the pagoda and people started to pray and recite partitas.
At the auspicious hour, the conch shell was blown and later
the playing of the brass gongs and bells could be heard
simultaneously.
Together with these auspicious sounds fire works came out
from the either side of the throne of the pagoda and at the
same time the lights of the candle came out as if a lighted
blanket was removed, it was a breath-taking site and all
those present lit candles and offered it to the great Buddha
image. Fire crackers are known as Ta Zaung in olden days.
And since it is placed atop the pole and lighted we called
it Tazaung Daing. During the Tazaungdaing festivals of
spirits is also held.
On the full moon day of Tazaungmone, all the stars
completely shown out and at midnight on that day, people
usually eat vegetable curry and it is believed the bitter
Maezali bud salad, you will be free from all
diseases.Streaming from that belief, people usually prepare
Maezali bud salads and share it with friends. This is one of
the treasured habits of Myanmar.
To prepare Mezali salad, first you will have to choose
tender buds about 9 baskets, clean and rinse it and then
boil it until it becomes soft and tender. Then you will have
to pound it until it becomes pasty. Then you mix the paste
with groundnut oil, pounded ground nut, fried onions, beans,
fried Dahl, sesame , cabbage, green chili and salt to taste.
It is a vegetarian dish which Myanmars adore.
By watching the 9,999 candles lighting festival at
Koehtatkyi Pagoda and by enjoying the Maezali salad, we all
hope you will share our fine tradition and culture which we,
Myanmar preserve and adore to date. May you all share our
merits of good deeds. |
