Festivals in Myanmar
 

Myanmar New Year Festival  - Water Festival

Myanmar is a land full of festivals and fun. The Mekong Water Festival includes the countries Thailand. Cambodia. Myanmar and Laos. The celebration is called Songkran in Thailand. Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia. Thingyan in Myanmar and Pimai in Laos. But it is believed that water festival washes away sins and welcomes the New Year. The water festival represents the most popular. raucous and colorful celebration of the year for more than 120 million people who will abandon any thoughts of work and bring their nations to a standstill. People around the country gather together again and visits pagodas. offers and pay homage to the monks. play traditional games and celebrate with their joyous spirit.

After playing around and having fun throughout the country. the city-dwellers welcome the New Year on the 17th by cleaning the floors of the pagodas and monasteries. washing old and aged peoples' hair. helping to cut them their nails. Some offer free food and drinks for everyone who visits the pagodas. some make other donations. If you can be here with us. you will never forget the true joy.

Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival - Inle Lake-Shan State

One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar. this pagoda houses five small Buddha images. Once a year. in end Sept-early Oct.. there is a pagoda festival during which the five Buddha images are rowed around the Lake in a colourful barge. Situated in Inle Lake. one of the most dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days. usually falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight.

Among the dance shows and fun-fairs. the most interesting event of the festival. especially for foreigners. is their boat race - due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act.

The festival of Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is usually held during October. The festival takes about 18 days. It is the biggest occasion held in the Inle Lake¸ Shan State. The festival is held with great magnificence and pageantry. The holy Buddha's images are placed on a decorated royal barge and towed by leg-rowers around the lake.

Thadingyut : The Festival of Lights / End of Buddhist Lent

Thadingyut is a seven-month of Burmese calendar and the end of lent. Three days of lights festival. namely the day before full moon. the full moon day and the days after. Illuminations are there to celebrate the anniversary of Buddha's return from the celestial abode where He had spent the lent teaching the celestials about His Law. Among the gods was the one who was the mother of Buddha. reborn there. It was on the full moon day of Thadingyut month that Buddha descended to the abode of humans. He and His disciples were attended by a heavenly host of celestials who created a pathway of star ladder. Buddhist on earth illuminated the homes and streets to welcome Buddha and His disciples.

Tazaungmone Festival - Countrywide

Tazaungmone in Myanmar Calendar is the month of November. It is among the 12 months when the rainy season ends and winter comes in. At that time. in Myanmar. the seasonal Khawei flowers are in full bloom. On the night of full moon day of Tazaungmone. 9.999 candles were lighted and offered to Koehtatkyi Pagoda in SanChaung Township. Yangon Division.

On the full moon day of Tazaungmone. all the stars completely shown out and at midnight on that day. people usually eat vegetable curry and it is believed the bitter Maezali bud salad. you will be free from all diseases.Streaming from that belief. people usually prepare Maezali bud salads and share it with friends. This is one of the treasured habits of Myanmar

Hot-air balloon Festival - Taunggyi - Shan State

Taunggyi is the capital of the Southern Shan State and it lies 1.430 meters above the sea level and has a moderate climate. The most significant festival is the annual Tazaungdine Lighting Festival which is around October and November. Lu Ping festival commonly known as hot balloon festival celebrates by Pa O. one of the many ethnic groups in the region.