A ceremony to offer meals to monks to mark the 140th anniversary of King Mindon's demise, the monarch that founded the Mandalay city and palace, took place in conjunction with a ceremony to pay respect to royal elderly relatives of Konbong Dynasty at Myanan San Kyaw Golden Palace in Mandalay on Monday.

At the first ceremony, meals and alms were offered to Buddhist monks who administered the congregation with the precepts. Then a respect-paying ceremony followed in which Kongbon descendants paid respect to 72 royal elders.

“We, the Konbong descendants hold the 140th anniversary of the demise of King Mindon and a respect-paying ceremony. After King Mindon passed away, his son King Thibaw offered a meal-offering ceremony at this palace. When Myanmar fell under subjugation, nothing was allowed in the palace. In 2015, we was able to hold such a ceremony at Kyun (teak) Monastery built by King Mindon. The ceremony was allowed at the palace in 2016. This year, we hold the third ceremony," said Htik Tin Aung, the great-great son of King Mindon.

King Mindon passed away on 6th waxing day of Thadingyut in 1240 Myanmar Era.