On the 146th anniversary of the death of King Mindon, founder of Yadanapon palace, the ceremony of donating alms and meritorious deeds was held on 8 October at the Maha Dhammika Rama Shwekyin monastery, said a royal member Htake Tin Aung.
The ceremony was attended by the royal brothers and sisters of Konbaung dynasty, relatives and friends, and they offered meals and groceries to more than 90 monks and novices at the monastery.
“As King Mindon died in 1240 ME, it is now the 146th anniversary. He died on the 6th waxing day of Thadingyut, so we offered donations on that day. We donated lunch to the monks and novices at the monastery, and offered groceries to more than 90 monks and novices,” he said.
It is called Matagabat which means food offering made for the merit of a deceased person.
“After the death of King Mindon, King Thibaw, Prince Pyinmana and Htayankar Htake Khaung Tin offered food without fail. But, after the death of Prince Pyinmana and Htayankar Htake Khaung Tin, such Matagabat meal hasn’t been offered for 51 years. It was offered again on the 6th waxing day of Thadingyut (October) in 2015. This is the 10th time this donation has been made by royal family members,” he said.
MT/ZN