Ruling junta gives rousing welcome to white elephant
Leaders greet symbol of power and prosperity
Yangon: Myanmar's ruling junta threw a lavish welcome ceremony for a rare white elephant, a traditional symbol of power and prosperity, which was transported from the jungle to the country's remote capital, state media reported yesterday.
The 38-year-old female elephant was recently captured in the jungles of northwestern Myanmar and transported on Monday by boat and truck to Naypyitaw, where it was given the name Bhaddavati, or "one who is endowed with goodness", in a formal naming ceremony, the Myanmar Ahlin newspaper reported.
Top military leaders greeted the 7-foot, 4-inch elephant when it arrived in Naypyitaw and sprinkled the beast with scented water during a ceremony at the Uppatasanti Pagoda, a replica of the famed Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
