Lotus robe offering ceremony: Lotus robe offered to Mandalay Kyauktawgyi pagoda

The 2nd golden lotus robe offering ceremony to Mahāsakyamārajina  (Kyauk Taw Gyi) Buddha Image, which was built under the patronage of King Mindon, was held in the Full-moon day of Tabodwe.

Chairman, Pagoda Board of Trustees, Dr. Thuddhama Kyaw Win said "In the 157th year history of the Buddha Image, there have been only 2 times of offering lotus robe to the Buddha Image by the board of trustees. I’m absolutely delighted for having opportunity to offer."

The professional weavers from Yay Kyi Pauk village of Amarapura Township weaved the lotus robe with 9 weaving looms named Maha Maya Devi, Maha Pazapati Godami, Yathaw Dhaya looms, etc., starting on the morning of 14th waxing moon of Tabodwe and Koelone Tagar sewing team is mainly sewed the lotus robe in line with the Vinaya rules to obey in sewing the robe.  

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Thuddhama Kyaw Win said "Plans are underway to offer Matho Thingan (non-perishable robe) and lotus robe to the Buddha Image every year. Also, pilgrims from all over the world can come here to pay their respects and for the youths, they can study the traditional hand-weaving looms in an era where the machine-weaving looms widely prevail like today."

The Kyauk Taw Gyi Buddha image measuring 37 feet tall and 24 feet wide and weighs about 900 tons, according to the records of the Buddha Image.