Religious places crowded with devotees on Kason full moon day

On the full moon day of Kason, the people keep Sabbath and pour water on banyan trees at the pagodas, including Shwedagon Pagoda.
The Yangon Region government and pagoda board of trustees held the 39th Kason water-pouring festival at the designated places of Shwedagon Pagoda starting at 5 am yesterday.
First, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, regional ministers, the pagoda board of trustees and religious organizations ‘alms’ (early meal), flowers, water, oil lights and fruits to the pagoda.
They recited the Gathas and shared the merits they gained.
Then, they donated the first meal to the Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Shwedagon pagoda.
Afterwards, the 39th Kason water-pouring festival was conducted and the regional officials took nine precepts from Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Maha Visuddhayon Tikethit Monastery Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Bannagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sirinanda Bhivamsa.
They donated offertories to Sayadaws. Then, they share merits after listening to the sermons delivered by Ovadacariya Sayadaw Agga Maha Gandhavasaka Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Tipitakadhara Pali Paragu Bhaddanta Nagita.
Then, the Sayadaws, Region Chief Minister, Commander, relevant officials, service groups and pilgrims poured water on the banyan trees.
The donors also offered free food to the visitors to the pagoda.
Similarly, the Region Chief Minister, regional ministers, pagoda board of trustees, service groups and pilgrims poured water on Bodhi trees at Botahtaung and Sule pagodas.
Moreover, the water-pouring festivals were also conducted at Kaba Aye and Kyaikwyne pagodas. — MNA