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Asia and
Myanmar is full of very colorful and deep rooted
festivals. Just think about all this Chinese festivals,
Thai festivals, Malaysian festivals, Philippine
festivals and so on, celebrations, the Indian
multicultural festivals of the different ethnic groups
and so on. The same in Myanmar - Burma, we present here
only the most important one, there are dozens other
festivals. To visit a festival around the big cities
like Yangon, Mandalay or so is no problem since the
hotels, restaurants, accommodation and infrastructure is
ok.
January
NAGA New Year Festival in Sagaing
Division;
 Every year , NAGA traditional New Year Festival is
celebrated in January and the gathering place for this
auspicious occasion is rotation, in one of the township
in Sagaing Division viz Khamti, Lasyshi, Namying and the
Lahe. There is a great feasting and the NAGA get attired
in their colurful costumes and headdresses.
Ananda Pagoda Festival in 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
Manhamuni Pagoda Festival in
Mandalay
Mandalay is historically known as the last royal capital
of the Myanmar Kingdom. Situated to the south of the
Royal Palace is the 4.5 high Buddha image cast in
bronze.Besides the daily rituals, Mahamuni Pagoda
Festival is unique with monks chanting Buddhist
svriptures, communal offering to the monks and food
stalls selling a variety of Myanmar snacks.
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 March
INDAWGYI FESTIVAL, Hopin, near
Myintkyina
Ca. 100 miles far from Myintkyina. 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. People
believe that one is for human use and the other is a
passage for the gods. These two sandbanks disappear into
the lake shortly after the festival.
SHWE SARYAN PAGODA FESTIVAL, Shwe
Saryan Village, Patheingyi, Mandalay
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 are the best selling village products
in this festival.
 INDAWGYI PAGODA FESTIVAL IN KACHIN
STATE
Indawgyi Pagoda is situated in the centre of the lake.
This festival is celebrated for 10 days. Two sandbanks
appearing before the Festival is indeed fascinating for
all pilgrims.
PINDAYA CAVE FESTIVAL, Pindaya
During the festival at the Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Cave in
Pindaya thousands of devotees throng the cave to pay
homage to the pagoda. You will find hundreds of small
stalls selling delicious local foods, Shan handicrafts,
all kinds of cheroots (Myanmar cigars), Shan umbrellas,
and, and, and… Tribes from all over Shan State join this
festivity in their colourful costumes.
NAY WIN TAUNG PAGODA FESTIVAL,
Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin)
Same as Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival. Traditional Shan
festival. It takes place in the northern part of Maymyo,
about an hour’s drive from the downtown area.
 BO BO GYI FESTIVAL
Bo Bo Gyi is believed to have mastered high level
alchemi-cal practices and to have expired to become nat.
SHWEMAWDAW PAGODA FESTIVAL, Bago
Same with the other pagoda festival. There are evening
entertainment such as Zats, Anyeints, stage show and
also a popular sales fair where all kinds of goods, most
of them are clothes, toys & kitchen supplies. (not
expensive one)
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April
 THINGYAN WATER FESTIVAL
Throughout Myanmar
The Burmese New Year will be celebrated in April and
everybody joins in the fun of dousing each other with
water. Youths go out for the enjoyment, while elder
people take retreat in monasteries and pagodas to
perform meritorious deeds.
One cannot avoid of getting very wet because every one
throws water at everybody. People drive through the city
in open cars and there are stages along the street where
people throw water. During this time, everything is
closed: restaurants, shops, markets, Museum, etc.
 POPA CEREMONY, Mt. Popa
Nat dances on Mt. Popa. Very crowded and
difficult to get up the mountain.
SHITE-THAUNG PAGODA FESTIVAL,
Mrauk Oo
This pagoda festival will be held on 3rd (Full
moon day) as same as the others pagoda festival but they
have one exiting thing is they have traditional boxing
show.
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June and July
 WASOO FULL MOON DAYS
It is celebrated with the offering of Waco Thing
a yellow (Robes) to the monks which market 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.
CHIN LONE FESTIVAL, Mahamuni /
Mandalay
Chin Lone (Cane Ball) tournament held in
Mandalay. It is used to held in Mahamuni Pagoda compound
almost a month for every day and night. Cane ball
players from all over the country come up to Mandalay to
enjoy this festival. We can enjoy to see several ways of
playing Chin Lone and racing by either team or
individual together with local / folk music played while
entertaining the audience.
 SHWE KYUN PIN NAT PWE MINGUN (NAT
FESTIVAL IN MINGUN), Mandalay
During the Myanmar month of Tabaung. According to
the legend, the youngest brother of King Mindon fomented
a rebellion and succeeded in ousting the Sawbawa of
Hsipaw. Several of his six children got killed in this
confrontation and Mindon’s brother did not rest until he
eliminated all potential successors of Sabawa of Hsipaw.
One day his two surviving children were struck by a teak
trunk and drowned in the Shweli River at Thit Maik Myun
while attending a boat race. Their mother died from
heartbreak about this loss. The ‘Pagoda of Despair’ (Lwan
Hpaya) was built at this place. Since then, the children
were declared to be nats and thus became the keepers of
the river. After harvest time, hundreds of farmers,
wearing colourful dresses, arrive with their beautifully
decorated bullock carts at the Myatheindan Pagoda. They
build a big tent as temporary housing for the nat
images. During these days the mediums perform Nat Dances
in order to be granted a good harvest for the next
season and to the delight of hundreds of spectators.
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August
 TAUNGPYONE NAT FESTIVAL
It is celebrated in Taungpyone, near Mandalay
which lasts for five days. According to tradition, the
spirits(nats) are appeased to bring good luck and
prosperity.
YADANA GU NAT FESTIVAL, Amapura,
Mandalay
Known as mother of Taungbyone Festival. Most
enjoyable because of the rowing boat trip to the site.
The festival is held annually in honor of Mt. Popa.
Medaw, Mewanna (Mother of the two Lords) who came back
from Taunbyon Festival, halted on her way back to Mt.
Popa at the Yadanagu as her transit camp.
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September
and October
 Kyaukse Elephant Dance
Festival
It 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,
paying homage to the Shwe Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha.
Paung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
In Inlay Lake is popularly celebrated in the
Inlay Lake every year. The images of the Buddhas from
Paung Daw Oo are placed on a decorated royal barge and
taken around the Lake; stopping at villages for people
to pay homage. The porcession of the Inlay leg rowers in
full pageantry makes this Festival more unique then
ever.
 Kyauktawgyi Pagodas Festival
In Mandalay is celebrated at the Pagoda foot of
the Mandalay Hill.
INDEIN PAGODA FESTIVAL, Inle Lake
Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old
shrine complex in Inle Lake.
THE THADINGYUT (FESTIVAL OF
LIGHTS), Throughout Myanmar
To mark the end of the Buddhist Lent, and is also
one of the most prominent festivals of the year.
Pagodas, houses, public buildings, parks, and monuments
are all illuminated and there are various kinds of
activities for everyone to enjoy. Thadingyut is not only
for joyous but also thanksgiving and paying homage to
Buddhist monks, teachers, parents and elders, and asking
pardon for whatever misdeeds might have committed.
SHWEZIGON FESTIVAL IN BAGAN
KCandle lights and fireworks are carried in
procession before offering to the pagoda
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November
T AUNGGYI TAZAUNGDINE FESTIVAL
Taunggyi Tazaungdine Festival attracts many
pilgirms and foreigners. A traditionally Shan festival
with a competition of hot air balloon , fireworks to
celebrate Tazaungdine Festival.
PHO-WIN-TAUNG FESTIVAL, Monywa
Like other pagoda festival with the usual
entertainment provided. Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and
woven textiles (cotton blankets and longyis mainly) can
be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area.
SHIN MAR LE PAGODA FESTIVAL, Thazi
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.
ROBE WEAVING CONTEST, Throughout
Myanmar
The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of
the day before full moon day in one night. This is a
competition for the weaving skills between teams of
women to complete special saffron-coloured robes, called
“Ma Tho Thin Gan” from the evening onwards at dawn. It
is still done in the traditional way and lots of people
enjoy watching the demonstrations. At dawn, the robes
are offered to the great image of Lord Buddha and
followed by the prize giving ceremony for the winners.
KAUNGHMUDAW PAGODA FESTIVAL,
Sagaing
The most interesting aspect of this festival is
the caravan of bullock-carts in the pagoda compound.
Some of the carts carry their village products, such as
hand-woven cotton cloths and cane mats, to sell them
there. They like to camp under the shade of the trees.
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December
The Nadaw
full moon is a time for honoring the spirit world and
nat festivals (nat-pwe) are held in many parts of the
country. Christmas Day is also a public holiday.
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