Narinjara News, 6 March 2023

Anticipating world peace, Buddha Pujaniya festival of the ancient The Koe-thaung pagoda  (ninety thousand Buddha statues) in Mrauk U township of Rakhine State will be heldfor the first time on 18 to 20 March2023, said U Maung Nyunt, chairman of the board of trustees for The Koe-thaung pagoda .

"By organizing the Buddha Pujaniya Festival of The Koe-thaung pagoda we wish good health and well-being foreveryone around the world. We hopethe Rakhine people and the entire human race will be happy,” he said.

On the first day, statues of the Buddhas those are standing will be adored. The invited nine monks willrecite the prayer and programs likeserving breakfast to the visiting fans are scheduled.

Rakhine traditional sports (Kyin/Wrestling) is also included in the program where the evenings will berocked by Aune Pwe San troupe.

Ma Myo Aye, a young resident of MraukU, said, "I am happy and proud ofthe celebration. The Koe-thaung pagoda  event will exciting.It should bring happiness to the people.”

The Koe-thaung pagoda is large and rectangular in shape. The 16th-century monument on the easternoutskirts of Mrauk U measures approximately 77 meters on each side.

The literary meaning of the pagoda is the temple of 90,000 Buddhas which was erected by King Min Dikkha(1554-56) and Shitthaung pagoda (80,000stupas) by his father and predecessor King Minbin.

It is the largest monument in Mrauk U, even though the present form was found after restoration.