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Festival In Myanmar |
| December/
January |
Ananda Temple Festival (Bagan - Ananda Temple)
Festival begins several weeks before the Pyartho
Full Moon Day. There are evening entertainments such
as Zats: a variety of dance, song, short and long
plays, sale of local and traditional products. The
most interesting site of this includes the caravan
of bullock-carts in the Pagoda compound.
New Year for the Wa, Lishu & Lahu (Kyaingtong)
Celebrate at the same day of Chinese New year
day. Hill Tribes near Kyaingtong.
| January |
Kachin National Day & Manaw Festival (Myitkyina)
Celebrate a sacrificing-cum dancing best known
as Manaw to propitiate or exercise numerous. Nat
(spirits) the spectacular carnival held in every
January is the festival to celebrate a victory or
achievement where the young and old, the great and
simple gather in true community spirit.
Naga New Year Festival (Saigaing Division)
Village location changes from year to year - An
opening ceremony is held in the morning and in the
evening there is traditional dance with bonfires. On
New Year day they have a competition of traditional
sports, and gathering of sub tribes of Naga. In this
particular day you will see the most unique Nagas
gathering from the entire region with festive mode.
| January-February |
Kyaik - Khauk Festival
Thanlyin (Syriam)
Maintaining the heritage of donating drinking
water to all by descendants of the first donor
family is amazing.
Lahu New Year Celebration (Kyaingtong-Lahu Hill
Tribes)
1day after Dark Moonof Tabodwe
| February |
Htarmane - Rice Giving (Throughout Myanmar)
People rejoice in the combined communities
preparation and distribution of glutinous rice
delicacy or feast of Htamane. One should not miss
this opportunity to sample the delicious Myanmar
delicacy consisting of glutinous rice freckle of
coconut, sesames seeds, peanuts, ginger, and oil,
which is specially prepared for the feast.
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay)
Monks chant Buddhist scriptures nonstop; the
evening entertainments such as zats and anyeints, a
performance of dances, songs and plays. And stalls
selling a variety of Myanmar snacks and a communal
offering of dry rational food and essentials are
given to the monks in the nearby monasteries.
Full Moon Tabodwe (Throughout Myanmar)
"Traditionally, it is held on the full moon day
of this month as the harvest festival when people
rejoice in the combined communities preparation and
distribution of glutinous rice delicacy or feast of
Htamane.”
| February
– March |
Zeedaw Nat Festival (Zeedaw
Viilage near Monywa)
Across the Chindwin river
Bawgyo Pagoda Festival (Between Kyaukme & Hsipaw)
Begins 10th waxing day - arrive before FM day -
Once a year, only during the festival days, the
locked up “four Buddha images” are brought out for
display, worship and gilding with gold leaf. We can
see tea-growing Palaung tribes from the hills and
jewelers. A large volume of Shan and Bamar
merchandise is traded. There are boat races on
Dottawadi River.
Kak Ku Pagoda Festival (Kak Ku)
Traditional Pa O Theatrical performances and
singing contests are included.
Shwe Myitzu Pagoda Festival (Indawgyi Lake)
100 miles far from Myitkyina. Approx. Five hours
drive up to Indawgyi. This festival is held yearly
for ten days. One intriguing fact is that two
sandbanks are washed up by the waves before the
festival begins so that people can walk from the
bank to the pagoda.
Pindaya Cave Festival (Pindaya)
Typical Taung Yoe pagoda festival. Different
ethnic minorities can be seen. |
|
March |
Man Su Pagoda Festival
(Lashio)
Before FM. -early morning monk procession
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon)
Continues after FM day. It is held on the full
moon day of Tabaung (approximately March) and is one
of the biggest events. During this festival,
visitors can get a feel of the spirituality of the
people of Myanmar by participating in the events and
temple fairs; and observing the rituals.
Shwesaryan Pagoda Festival (Shwe Saryan Village,
Between Mandalay & Maymyo)
45 minutes drive form Mandalay on the way to
Maymyo (near Hton Bo), You can also take a small
boat on the Douhtawaddy River and visit the pagodas
nearby, Myanmar traditional toys, boxes, baskets,
mats made of dried toddy palm leaves.
Shwesatdaw Pagoda Festival (Minbu)
Pilgrimage to 2 Footprints of Buddha
Mawdinsun Pagoda Festival (Ngapudaw, near Pathein)
This Pagoda Festival is held once a year; an
event for pilgrims to visit the pagoda at the mouth
of the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Full Moon Day Tabaung (Throughout Myanmar)
Important Full Moon Day. This is the last month
of Myanmar lunar calendar. The most colorful month
of the year with Pagoda Festivals in full swing
everywhere. The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held on
the day of the full moon of Tabaung and is the
month's finest event. During this festival, visitors
can get to know the true religious feelings of the
people of Myanmar by participating in events at
pagoda fairs or by observing the rituals of the
holiday.
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| April |
Thanakha Grinding
Event (Sittway, Rakhine State)
Buddha Image Bathing Event (Sittway, Rakhine
State)
Thingyan Water Festival (Throughout Myanmar)
Celebrated to welcome Myanmar New Year for four
days throughout the country during the second week
of April. It also marks the end of the old year and
beginning of the new. Young people gather together
to sing and dance, and to joyfully throw water on
each other. During the Thingyan Carnivals decorative
floats and water throwing pandals are seen
everywhere in towns and cities alike. If you do not
mind getting wet, this high-spirited festival is one
that you should not miss.
Mt Popa Nat Festival (Bagan - Mt. Popa)
Always during the Water Festival
Kyaingtong Water Fesival (Kyaingtong (Kengtung))
Traditional ceremonies/processions - Very
Interesting
Sand Stupa Festival (Min Thar Su, Mandalay)
In three different Mandalay quarters stupas are
built with sand within 01 night. Sand stupas are
built up with five segments gradually converging to
the top. Each layer of white sand is supported by
bamboo-mats and -posts.
Full Moon Day Tagu (Throughout Myanmar)
This is the first month of Myanmar lunar
calendar. The most colorful month of the year with
Pagoda Festivals in full swing everywhere.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Bago)
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May
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Shitthaung Pagoda
Festival (Mrauk-U, Rakhine State)
Dummy boat race on land, real boat race and
water splashing in Mrauk U canal on full moon day.
Traditional wrestling competitions are held at the
foot of the pagoda.
Shwe Kyet Yet Festival (Amarapura, Mandalay)
Bodhi Tree water pouring ceremony and Boat
racing.
Taung-yo Festival (Pindaya Cave, Pindaya)
Taung Yoe tribe make Torchlight procession in
the early part of the night to pay homage to the
numerous statues in the cave.
Pa-O Rocket Festival (Taunggyi)
Locally made rockets stuffed with powerful
gunpowder are ceremoniously carried and launched in
competition. Observed mostly by ethnic Pa-Oh to
predict the weather and crop. Young men and women
use small mirrors to tease one another.
Full Moon Day Kason - Buddha's Birthday
(Throughout Myanmar)
Bodhi Tree water pouring ceremony. Pouring water
the Sacred Bo Tree symbolizes the Birth,
Enlightenment and Passing away of Buddha. It is an
important Buddhist holiday and belles go in
procession to the pagoda grounds throughout the
country with pots of water and thousands of
oil-lamps or candles to be lit.
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| July |
Full Moon Day 1st Waso (Throughout Myanmar)
Start of Buddhist Lent. Donation ceremonies of
new robes and other temporal requirements to the
monks all over the country at major pagodas,
monasteries and even at homes.
Full Moon Day 2nd Waso (Throughout Myanmar)
Depends on the Calender
Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Festival (Near Mingun)
The day Buddha preached his first sermon is
commemorated. Monks are confined to the monastery by
Buddhist code of conduct during the 3-month long
Buddhist lent.
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July-October
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Fish Feeding Festival
(Kyaung Taw Ya Monastery, 33 km north of Minbu)
A famous religious festival also known as "Fish
Feeding Festival". People believed that thousands of
big fishes, you can see only in this period, come to
pay homage to the pagoda. |
| August |
7 Day Nat Festival (Taungbyone
,near Mandalay)
A popular festival held in Taungpyone near
Mandalay. According to tradition, the homage-paying
festival is held annually to appease the spirits as
it is believed that the Nats can fulfill their
wishes, protect from ill-fate and danger, and bring
good luck, prosperity and progress. Although Myanmar
Buddhists are not particularly spirit worshippers,
thousands of country folks and town people, their
joyous, light-hearted and merrymaking can be found
in this particular festival. |
| August-September |
Yadanar Gu Nat
Festival (Amarpura, Mandalay)
Traditional Nat festival on the Mandalay-Sagaing
road. We can take a small sampan along the lake up
to the Nat Shrine hall. |
| September-October |
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Festival (Around Inle Lake)
The biggest occasion of the Lake Inle. The
images of the Buddha from Phaung Daw Oo are placed
on a decorated royal barge and taken around the
lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage.
The festivals is full of pageantry and colorful. |
| October |
Mya Tha Lon Festival (Magwe)
"Buddhist chanting, early morning offering to
1700 monks, and the lighting of 9000 candles are
major activities. The scenic beauty of the pagoda,
situated on the riverbank, is dramatic. "
Light Floating Festival (Shwe Kyin, Madaut
Township)
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival (Mandalay)
The image was cast out of a single piece of
alabaster in1864 under the guidance of king Mindon.
Elephant Dance Festival (Kyauk Se, South of
Mandalay)
People dressed as elephants (not real
elephants).This unique and exotic elephant dance
held at Kyaukse, a small town not far from Mandalay.
A huge but light elephant figure is made with bamboo
and paper. Men take their places inside the figure
and dance around the town to the accompaniment of
Dobat and Drums. The elephant dancers circle three
times at the foot of the hill to pay homage to the
Shwethalyaung Pagoda. It is a dance that requires
precise rhythm and timing in order for the elephant
dancers to maintain uniformity inside the elephant
figure. Numerous life-size paper dummy elephants
sing and dance to the accompaniment of music.
Celebration of Lights (Throughout Myanmar)
Especially on Inle Lake
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| October-November
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Thaung Tho Monastery
Celebration (Inle Lake)
Gathering of all Pa-O tribes to Monastery |
| October |
Celebration of Lights
& Fire Balloons (Kyaingtong & Hill Villages)
Very Interesting Festivities
Full Moon Day Thadingyut (Throughout Myanmar)
Very Important Full Moon Day - End of Buddhist
lent. And also the festival of lights. Pagodas,
houses and streets are brilliantly illuminated. It
is not only a time of joy but also thanksgiving and
paying homage to teachers, parents and elders. |
| October-November |
Kahtein Robe Giving
Ceremony ( Throughout Myanmar)
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
Starts 1 week before F.M. Tazaungmon. Candlelights
and fireworks are carried in procession before
offering to the pagoda.
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| October |
Indein Pagoda Festival (Inle
Lake)
Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old sharine
complex in Inle Lake. |
| November
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Pho Win Taung Festival
(Monwya)
Across the Chindwin River.
Thanboddhay Pagoda Festival (Monywa)
Arrive day before F.M.
Astrologers Annual Gathering (Shwebonepwint
Pagoda, YANGON)
Robe Weaving Competition (Mandalay - Maha Muni
Pagoda)
Arrive evening before - weaving throughout the
night - The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve
of the day before fullmoon day in one night. This is
a competition for the weaving skills between teams
of women to complete special saffron-coloured robe.
Robe Weaving Competition (Yangon - Shwedagon
Pagoda)
Arrive evening before-weaving throughout the
night. On this particular full moon eve groups of
young women take part of competition held on the
platforms of the pagodas. The robe is to be finished
flawlessly overnight and offered at dawn to the
Buddha images around the pagodas.
Shin Mar Le Pagoda Festival (Mandalay)
Celebrated at the time of the Tazaung Dine
Festival. People throe with lotus flowers to the top
of the stupa, located at the North entrance of the
Mahamuni Pagoda, as homage to the Lord Buddha.
Kaungmudaw Pagoda Festival (Sagaing ,near
Mandalay)
Procession on the morning of F.M. Tazaungmon.
The best spot to watch Myanmar puppet.
Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country oxcarts
can be seen.
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival (Kyaikhtiyo, Golden
Rock)
The boulder, standing on the edge of a peak in
the highest mountain range, is said to be freely
hanging over the cliff. The place is famous as a
pilgrimage and holiday outing spot. On this
particular full moon day number total 9999 candles
are ceremoniously lit at mid night.
Fire Balloon Competition (Taunggyi)
Traditional Shan Festival where the various
competition of hot-air balloons attached to
firecrackers are performed at night time on the full
moon day of November. At day-time, there is a
competition of decorated hot-air balloons in
different shapes and forms of mythological birds as
well as animals such as elephants, etc.
Kak Ku Pagoda - Lanterns & Lights (Kak Ku)
Same time as Fire Balloon Festival in Taunggyi
Full Moon Day Tazaungmon (Throughout Myanmar)
Light Celebration at most pagodas - Many locals
of different status offer yellow robes & other items
such as slippers, umbrellas, alms bowls and other
domestic articles to the monks. This offering
ceremony is commonly called "Kathein" and every
local hope
Thaung Tho Pagoda Festival (Inle Lake)
A Buddhist festival celebrates an old Buddha statute
site.
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| November-December |
New Rice Harvest
Festival (Kyaingtong)
On this perticular period Ann hill tribe
celebrate fertility festival. Very interesting with
traditional group dancing and drinking etc. Hill
Tribe Village Celebrations.
Shan New Year Celebration (Kyaingtong)
Very Interesting - Hill Tribe Village Celebrations.
Many different Shan tribes are celebrate with
offering to the Buddha and traditional dance and
feast.
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| December |
Mt Popa Nat Festival
(Mt Popa near Bagan)
Mt. Popa being considered most important Nat
worshipping center, thousands of country folks and
town people in their joy us, light-hearted and
merrymaking in this particular festival. Thousands
of animals were sacrificed to the Nats during the
festival however this practice has been stopped
since Bagan period. Spirit possession and overall
drunken ecstasy are part of the celebration.
Ahka New Year Festival (Kyaingtong)
Ahka Hill Tribe Villages |
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