ls are pagoda festivals and they are celebrated the whole year around at one pagoda or another. Many of these pagoda festivals are throwback to the olden days. At some pagoda festivals like the Thanbyinnyu Pagoda in Bagan or the Kekku Pagoda Festival in the Shan State people come to the festivals like they had done hundreds of years ago in bullock carts.The Naga New Year Festival held annually in the Naga Hills is to mark the successful harvest and the Myanmar Thingyan Water Festival is celebrated all over Myanmar to mark the changing of the season. During this time young people go around the town in cars or erect pandals to throw water on each other while the elderly go to the monasteries for meditation.
JANUARY
Tipitaka Examinations
Where : Kaba Aye Hillock, Yangon
When : 2nd waxing day of Pyatho ( 9Jan 2008 )
Recitation of the 3 sets of Buddhist Scriptures are held for 24 days followed by written test for 5 days. Around 150 monks annually sit for the exam. The titles are bestowed on the monks who pass the exam.
Manaw Festival
Where : Myitkyina, Kachin State
When : January 8' 2008
Duration : 1 day
Traditional Kachin Manaw Festival to celebrate the New year. All the Kachin clans will congregate at Myitkyina to celebrate this event.
Naga New Year
Where : Layshi Township, Sagaing Division
When : January 14-15, 2008
Duration : 2 days
One of the most colourful ceremonies of the country. Different tribes of Naga gather by the hundreds in their colourful costumes to perform ritual dances.
Anada Pagoda Festival
Where : Ananda Pagoda, Bagan
When : One week preceding the full moon day of Pyatho ( 22 - 28 Jan 2008 )
Duration : 1 week
One of the most popular festivals in the country. Bowls of alms filled with crisps are offered to monks who all wait in a line. Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country bullock carts can be seen.
February
The Great Footprints Season
Where : Minbu , Magway
When : 5th Waxing day of Tabodwe ( 11 - 15 Feb 2008 )
Duration : 5 days
The season is open for about 3 months. Pilgrimage is only possible in the dry season. 2 footprints are said to have been left by Lort Buddha when he visited there.
Kyaikkhauk Pagoda Festival
Where : Thanlyin ( formerly Syriam )
When : 8th Waxing day of Tabodwe ( 14 - 22 Feb, 2008 ).
A Typical Buddhist Religious festival like a country fair
Mahamuni Ceremonies
Where : Mahamuni precinct, Mandalay
When : 14th - 15th waxing days of Tabodwe ( 20 - 21 Feb 2008 )
Duration : 2 days
Glutinous rice delicacy contests are held late on 14th Waxing day ( 20Feb ). On the morning of 15th Waxing day ( 21 Feb ), increase is burnt in large flames in a symbolic gesture of offering heat to the great image.
Bonfire Ceremony
Where : Pyay
When : 21 Feb 2008 ( full moon day of Tabodwe )
Duration : 1 day
White stems of nyan-yoe plants, which emit no smoke when lit, are burnt at four cardinal points on the platform of the pagoda in the early morning of 15th waxing day. Worshipers then proceed to Pho-U mountain-top resort, where Lord Buddha was said to have visited and made preordination of events.
March
Maw-din Festival
Where : Pagoda Point, Pathein
When : 7 Mar 2008 ( 1st waxing day of Tabaung )
Duration : 15 days festival ending Mar 21
Pilgrimage and recreation go together at this seashore location. Long and secluded beach stretch between Pagoda Point and Cabe Negrais is haven both for beach lovers and beachburms alike.
Kakku Pagoda Festival
Where : Kakku Pagoda precinct, Taunggyi Township
When : 9th waxing day of Tabaung ( 15 March, 2008 )
Duration : 8 days festival ending March 22
Pa Oh people from all the surrounding villages come in their best costumes to pay homage to the pagoda. Some comes in bullock carts and make camps under the huge banyan trees.
Pindaya Pagoda Festival
Where : Pindaya Township, Southern Shan State
When : 10th waxing day of Tabaung ( March 16, 2008 )
Duration : 6 days starting from 16-21 March
Traditionally a pagoda festival in honour of the Buddha statues inside the Pindaya Cave.
Home-coming Ceremony
Where : Taungbyone, Mandalay
When : 11th waxing day of Tabaung ( March 17, 2006 )
Duration : 1 day
Originally held to commemorate the day King Anawrahta returned from his Yunan expedition. Low-key spiritual ceremony.
Nan-pan Ceremony
Where : Inle Lake, Shan State
When : 12th waxing day of Tabaung ( March 18, 2008 )
Duration : 5 days ceremony ending 22 March
The sight of numerous monks who come in boats and receive food offerings is striking.
Tabaung Festival
Where : Throughout the country
When : Full moon day of Tabaung ( March 21, 2008 )
Duration : 1 days ceremony
Ceremonies at pagodas throughout the country
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Where : Yangon
When : Fullmoon day of Tabaung ( March 21, 2008 )
Duration : Approximately one week preceding the fullmoon day.
It is a traditional Buddhist pagoda festival and one of the most important pagoda festival in the country.
Bo Bo Gyi Nat festival
Where : Ah-lone, Monywa
When : 9th waning day Tabaung ( 30 March 2008 )
Duration : 5 days ceremony ending 3 Apr 2008.
Bo Bo Gyi is believed to have high level alchemical and to have expired to become a Nat. On the eve of ceremony pilgrims throw tea leaf packets at one another from racing exacts. It is regarded as a pledge that one who is hit must take a visit next year without fail.
April
Shwemawdaw Festival
Where : Bago
When : 8th waxing day Tagu ( 13 April 2008 )
Duration : 13 days ceremony ending 26th April 2008
Theatrical artists perform on stage with full force to show their competitive edge over their counterparts and to win future performance contracts.
Thingyan Festival ( Water Festival )
Where : All over the country
When : April 12-16 2008
Duration : 5 days
Traditional Myanmar New Year Celebrations people pour water over each other in a symbolic gesture of cleansing oneself of sins from the old year. Youths go out for enjoyment while elders take retreat in monasteries and pagoda precincts to perform meritorious deeds. The most festive places are Mandalay & Yangon.
Myanmar New Year Day
Where : All over the country
When : April 17 2008
Duration : 1 day
Celebrated all over the country to commemorate the Myanmar New Year. This is a deeply religious occasion observed mostly at pagodas and monasteries. Buddhists young and old alike, spend the day performing meritorious deeds such as releasing animals, offering to monks and paying homage to elders.
Popa Ceremony
Where : Popa
When : 13th waxing day of Tagu ( 18 April 2008 )
Duration : 1 day
During Thingyan, pilgrims from the country over pay respect to Popa nat shrines.
Elders' Day Ceremony
Where : Kabar Aye Hillock and elsewhere
When : 13th waxing day of Tagu ( 18 April 2008 )
Duration : 1 day
An elderly man and an elderly woman from every township in Yangon city areas are invited to Kaba Aye Pagoda Hillock to be presented with various articles and are shampooed and nail-cut as a symbolic gesture of paying respect.
May
Shwe-kyet-yet Event
Where : Mandalay
When : 14th waxing day of Kason ( 18 May 2008 )
Duration : 1 day
Full-dress, large-scale procession followed by water-pouring on the sacred Bo-tree, significantly, on the 14th waxing day of Kason, a day before normal watering day.
Kason Fullmoon Day
Where : All over the country
When : May 19 2008
Duration : 1 day
Buddha is said to have attained Enlightement under the Bo Tree and Buddhist flock to pour water on this sacred tree to gain merit. Seen at most prominent pagoda and monastery precincts all over the country on the Fullmoon Day of Kason ( May )
Pakokku Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival
Where : Pakokku, Magway Division
When : 8th Waxing Day of the month of Nayon to 10th Waning Day of the month of Nayon ( May 11 - June 28, 2008 ) The Thiho Shin Buddha Image is one of the most revered in Upper Myanmar. A typical Myanmar Buddhist Festival.
Shite-thaung Festival
Where : Mrauk U, Rakhine State
When : Full moon day of Kason ( May 19 2008 )
Duration : 8 days ceremony ending 26 May 2008
Dummy boat races on land, real boat races and water splashing in Mrauk-U canal on full-moon day. Traditional wrestling at the foot of the Pagoda: finals held on full-moon day.
June
Wicker Ball Ceremony
Where : Mahamuni precinct, Mandalay
When : 1st waning day of Nayon ( June 19 2008 )
Duration : 1 month festival ending 18th July 2008
Traditional wicker ball players from all over the country participate in the month-long contest that has been going on for over 70 years. This is the best even to watch Myanmar chin-lone game.
JULY
Waso full moon festival
Where : All over the country in July
When : 17th July 2008
Buddha is said to have attained Enligntenment and preached his First Sermon, the Dhammasekya, to the five disciples on the Fullmoon day of Waso (July). It is also the first day of the Buddhist Lent during which the monks are prohibited to travel and sleep outside the monks are prohibited to travel and sleep outside of their monasteries. Religious ceremonies are held at monasteries to offer holy robes to the monks.
AUGUST
Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Pwe
Where : Mingun, Mandalay
When : 1st waxing day of Wagaung ( 2 Aug 2008 )
Duration : 3 days ceremony ending 4 Aug 2008
Myanmar's last barter market where natives trade by exchange of commodities. Marine vessels, big and small, gather to pay respect whilst plying around on the Ayeyarwaddy. Spirit dances included.
1st day - attending a nat audience
2nd day - having a royal bath
3rd day - cutting down htein tree
Taungbyone Nat Festival
Where : At Taungbyone village near Mandalay
When : 10th waxing day of Wagaung ( 11 Aug 2008 )
Duration : 6 days ceremony ending Aug 16 2008
The most famous of the Nat ( super natural beings that reward believers ) festivals in Myanmar. This event is visited by all those who worship Nat, especially the traders and merchants who want help for more profits! 6days ceremony ending Aug 16. Held for worshipping two Taungbyone spiritual figures. Major gathering spot for spiritual mediums. Spirit dances are rempant.
1st day - attending a nat audience
2nd day - having a royal bath
3rd day - ascending the throne
4th day - presenting roast rabbit
6th day - cutting down htein tree
Yadana Gu Nat festival
Where : Ratanagu Pagoda, Amarapura Township, Mandalay
When : 10th waning day of Wagaung ( Aug 26 2008 )
Duration : 5 day ceremony ending Aug 30 2008
This is a festival to honour the mother of the two Nat brothers of Taungbyone. 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 Popa. Medaw, Mewanna
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