The whole year are filled up with festivals. Most of festivals are
regarding with culture or religion. Majorities are celebrated all
over country and some are specifically regional. The date of
festivals and special events usually fall on the full moon day of
month.
JANUARY
Independence Day is celebrated on January 4 in every year to mark
the anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.
■ Kachin Manaw Festival (Myitkyina)
Yearly celebrated on the Kachin State Day to mark victory,
success as well as joyous or auspicious occasions likes
bountiful harvest, happy marriage or house-warming. |
■ Naga New Year Festival (Sagaing Division)
Every year, Naga traditional new year festival is celebrated in
January and the gathering place for this auspicious occasion is
a rotation; in one of the townships in Sagaing Division viz
Khamti, Layshi, Namying and Lahe.
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■ Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
Bagan is where the numerous temple and pagodas of over 2000
exist today. The most interesting aspect of this festival is the
caravan of bullock carts in the Ananda Pagoda premises. |
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FEBRUARY |
■ Mahamuni Pagoda Festival
(Mandalay)
Mandalay is historically known as the last royal capital
of Myanmar Kingdom.
Situated to the south of the Royal
Palace is the 4.5 high Buddha image cast in bronze.
Besides the daily rituals, Mahanuni Pagoda Festival is
unique with monks chanting Buddhist scriptures, communal
offering to the monks and food stalls selling a variety
of Myanmar snacks. |
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MARCH |
 ■
Indawgyi Pagoda Festival (Kachin State)
Situated in the centre of the lake.
It is held for 10 days. Two sandbanks appearing before
the Festival is indeed fascinating for all pilgrims
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 ■ Kakku Pagoda Festival in Kakku (Shan State)
The unique feature of this pagoda festival is alms offering by
the native Pa O people dressed in their traditional outfits.
Traditional market festival is and additional attraction for the
souvenir buys.
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APRIL |
■ Thingyan (Water Festival )
This is The Myanmar traditional water festival to bring
in the Myanmar New Year.
Traditionally, Thingyan is
celebrated for four days in all over the country. |
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MAY |
■ Kason Full moon Day
On this very fullmoon day of Kason, cool water is poured
on to the sacred Bo tress planted in the premises of the
Pagodas and the monasteries. |
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JUNE / JULY |
■ Waso Fullmoon Day
Waso Fullmoon Day is celebrated with the offering of
Waso Thingan yellow (Robes) to the monks which mark the
beginning of the Buddhist Lent.
The Pagoda Festival at Thihoshin Pagoda in Pakkoku and
at Shwe Kyun Pin pagoda in Mingun are prominent
occasions. |
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AUGUST
■ Taungpyone Spirit(Nat)
Taungpyone Spirit (Nat) festival is celebrated in Taungpyone,
near Mandalay which lasts for five days.
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER |
■ Thadingyut Festival
Thadingyut Festival of Lights signals the end of the
Buddhist Lent and com- memorates the day when Lord
Buddha completed preaching the Abhidhammma.
On the Thadingyut full moon night , pagodas, monasteries,
offices, schools and residences are illuminated for 3
days with candle lights, coloured paper lanterns and
neon lights.
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■ Kyaukse Elephant Dance
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival is celebrated in Kyaukse,
near Mandalay.
A huge elephant made of bamboo and paper has men inside
to perform the elephant dance at the foot of the hill. |
■ Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inle Lake is popularly
celebrated in Inle Lake every year. The images of the
Buddhas 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 procession of
Inle Leg rowers in full pageantry makes this Festival
more unique then ever. |
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NOVEMBER
The Buddhist Lent is over and the cool weather allow
for more festivities at the Pagodas throughout the
country;
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■ Shwezigone Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
■ Thanbodde Pagoda Festival (Monywa)
■ Phowintaung pagoda Festival (Monywa)
■ Kaunghmudaw pagoda festival (Sagaing) |
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■ Tazaungdaing Festival (Taunggyi)
Tazaungdaing Festival of Light is also known as the
Matho thingan (non stale thingan robe weaving) festival.
The 3 day event features gala illuminations at all
pagodas and monasteries, offices and houses. Thingan
robe weaving competitions are held at all prominent
pagodas on the full moon day of Tazaungmone.
Taunggyi Tazaungdine festival attracts many pilgrims and
foreigners. A traditionally Shan festival with a
competition of hot air balloons, fireworks and
firecrackers to celebrate Tazaungdine festival.
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DECEMBER
Shwemyetmhan (the golden spectacled Buddha Image) Pagoda
Festival is celebrated in shwetaung.
Christmas celebrations and happy new festivities. |
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