Why choke the buddha?

We would never choke a buddha but in this case it is so heavy there is little place for grabbing it. The Buddha is no more 25cm high and it weighs a good 10kg+. We are obliged to kneel down on a cushion, a line builds up behind us. The two first attempts failed and its our turn and if you fail, so be it.

The guide stands behind us in awe, he backs away (we giggle) over the grip but there is no where else to take this buddha when trying to challenge ourselves. It is believed that a lifting of the buddha three times consecutively it will bring good fortune – it is completed, no contest and the buddha survives.