The Myanmar traditional Htamane festival and Htamane-making competition will be held on a grand scale on 23 February at the Shwedagon Pagoda, said U Bo Thinn, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees.
Teams representing townships in Yangon region and religious associations of the Shwedagon Pagoda will join the 2024 Shwedagon Pagoda Htamane Festival as well as the ceremony of offering Htamane to the Buddha images and monks and providing Htamane to pilgrims from four corners.
“We are planning to hold the Htamane festival and the Htamane-making contest – a traditional cultural festival – at the Shwedagon Pagoda. For the Htamane Festival, individuals can donate K65,000 for a pan of Htamane. Htamane will be donated to monasteries in the Shwedagon Pagoda precinct and devotees. The Board of Trustees has opened a donation centre for the Htamane festival. In addition, donors wishing to donate fruits, snacks, candles, and sticks of incense can send them to the Chanthagyi prayer hall on the evening of 23 February,” said U Bo Thinn. The Htamane-making competition will take place at 3 pm on 23 February. Htamane alms will be offered to the Shwedagon Pagoda at 5:30 am and 64 Sayadaws at 6:30 am on 24 February at the Shwedagon Pagoda platform. — ASH/MKKS
