Several government department employees, such as education and health workers, as well as police officers, were persuaded to attend the Lawka Nandar Pagoda new umbrella crown donation ceremony through the offer of incentives, 10000 kyats and a plate of fried noodles each

The people of Rakhine believe that the donation of a new umbrella crown to the Lawka Nandar Pagoda in Sittwe Township, is a performance of Yadaya (a superstitious magical rituals done to delay, neutralize or prevent misfortune). The Sittwe Lawka Nandar Pagoda was was constructed during the tenure of the previous military regime led by U Than Shwe.

During the ceremony, a total of 17 million kyat in cash was distributed in an opulent display resembling a shower of gold and silver. According to sources close to the Pagoda’s board of trustees, the newly donated umbrella crown has a diameter of 26 feet and was handcrafted in Mandalay at a cost of 90 million kyats.The event was was organized and led by the head of the Military Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

“The Pagoda was built by the former Junta leader U Than Shwe, and it was believed that its purpose was for Yadaya. As a result many Rakhine people do not worship it. Additionally during the construction of the Pagoda,” a Sittwe local said.

On the morning of March 31st, the donation ceremony for a new umbrella crown was held at the square of Sittwe Lawka Nandar Pagoda. Specially invited Buddhist monks and abbots recited prayers during the event, which commenced at 6:am.The pagoda was blessed with holy water.

At around 9:00 am the Rakhine traditional blessing drums were played, and from the pavilion at the northeast corner of the Pagoda Square, the Military Council chairman General Min Aung Hlaing and his companions, put the new umbrella crown on a pulley cart and installed it at the pagoda.

“ The sound of reciting Buddha’s Dhamma prayers was heard early in the morning, followed by a homage-paying ceremony at the pagoda, where they circled around it at around 8:00 am. One hour later, the umbrella crown was carried on a pulley cart and installed at the pagoda, signifying to match 9-Nawin (Nine attributes of the Buddha)”, a local who lives near the Pagoda told Narinjara.

Access to the Pagoda’s premises was restricted to government officials and department employees with special permission during the ceremony. The entrance gate and surrounding areas of the Pagoda were heavily guarded by military and police personnel, and most residents were prohibited from passing through.

Since the previous evening, attendees of the ceremony were instructed to arrive at Pagoda Square by 5:30 am and provided with incentives to attend including 10,000 kyat and a plate of fried noodles.

According to shopkeepers, the authorities had given instructions well in advance to dismantle the shops located within the premises and stairways of the Pagoda, before the arrival of Min Aung Hlaing. On March 29th, the shops were demolished.

Significant security measures were implemented during Min Aung Hliang’s visit to Sittwe, including tightened security around the Lawka Nander Pagoda and prominent intersections. Large numbers of fully armed police and soldiers were deployed in the city, locals said.

The renovation of Lawka Nandar Pagoda started in March 2018 at a cost of over 3 billion kyats. After about a year, while the pagoda’s umbrella crown slot and ceiling were being repaired, the works were suspended for approximately three years, due to the outbreak of the epidemic. However, the renovation resumed in October 2021.

The Sittwe Lawka Nandar Pagoda was inaugurated on March 2nd, 1999, during the previous military regime led by U Than Shwe. The Pagoda stands at a height of 162 feet and has a compound that spans 459 square feet. It is also surrounded by eight auxiliary pagodas and four gates.

Previously, Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Sittwe on February 26th, and inspected the ongoing renovation process of Sittwe Lawka Nandar Pagoda.