Pagoda and Nat Festivals in Myanmar (2008-2009)

Thousands of pilgrims go to this ancient pagoda festival by caravan of bullock-carts. The nearest town is Nyaung Oo.
     

The festival is unique with monks chanting Buddhist scriptures and food stalls selling a variety of Myanmar snacks.
           

(1) Indawgyi Pagoda Festival in Kachin State

The festival is celebrated at Nama Le village near Indawgyi Lake which is one of the largest lakes in South East Asia. About two hundred thousands pilgrims come and joy for ten days celebration. The nearest town is Myitkyina. It will start 3rd March to 11th March 2009.

This festival is held twice yearly. The amazing clusters of pagodas and thousands of Pa O people are interesting to all. The nearest town is Taunggyi. The first festival is on 10th March.

The festival is special offering to the spirit of Mayor U Min Kyaw of Pakan city. The spirits was famous for drinking toddy with fried chicken as well as fond of cock fight. The nearest town is Pakokku and Myinchan. It starts 26th Feb to 7th March 2009.

It is the old woman Nat wearing black dresses with two knives. The shrine is at Zeedaw village and is famous for Lower Chindwin communities. The pilgrims come to buy farm equipments and pray for good harvesting next year. It starts on 10th March and ends on 15th March 2009.

This is the Myanmar national water festival to bring in Myanmar New Year. Traditionally, Thingyan is celebrated for four days in all parts of Myanmar with much merriment and merry-making. It starts on 13th April to 16th April 2009.
     

This month popular for pouring the water to Bo tree which held in full moon day of Kasone (properly on 8 th May 2009 ) in the whole country. This tradition is base from Buddhism, also its support to the nature conservation too, because of pouring the water to tree.

According to the legend Thihoshin pagoda was from Sirilinka and built by King Alaungsithu.  Mya Sein Nyo was queen of King Alaungsithu. The festival lasts one month. It starts on 2nd June to 1st July 2009. The nearest town is Pakokku.

It is celebrated in Mingun village and the nearest town is Mandalay.
  

Waso Chinloe ( cane ball ) festival held in Mandalay.( properly on 6th July 2009 ) The nearest town is at Mandalay.

The festival of two brothers Nat namely Shwe Phyin Gyi and Shwe Phyin Nge is the most famous Nat festival in Myanmar. It is placed at Taungpyone village and takes eight days.
It started from 29 July, 2009 and end 5 August, 2009.

This is the welcome and farewell ceremony of Mei Wunna, mother of two brother nats. It is a fantastic of Nat bathing and Nat dance. The festival lasts for eight days. It starts from 12th August to 19th August 2009.

(1) Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival

A huge elephant made of bamboo and paper has men inside to perform elephant dance at the foot of hill. The nearest town is Kyaukse.

 (2) Shwe Na Pe Nat Festival in Mandalay

Shwe Na Pe, wife of Nat U Tint Te is known as dragon Nat. The festival is situated at Myittoo village, beside the Myitnge River. It starts from 27th August to 1st September 2009.

This pagoda is located at the foot of the Mandalay Hill.         
                                                                                                                                    

To welcome Lord Buddha upon his descent from Tavatimsa on Thadingyut full moon night. Pagodas, monasteries, offices, schools and residences are illuminated for three days with candle lights, colored paper lanterns and neon light. The day of festival is 14th Oct 2008 and 3rd Oct 2009.

The images of the Buddha are placed on a decorated royal barge and taken around the Inlay Lake by the native leg rowers. The festival is celebrated at the end of Buddhist lent.  The festival day of this year is 14th October 2008 and 3rd October of 2009. The nearest town is Naung Shwe.

(2) Thanbudde  Pagoda Festival in Monywa

(5)Taunggyi Tazaungdine Festival in Shan State

A traditional Shan festival with a competition of hot air ballrooms, fireworks and fire crackers to celebrate Tazaungdine festival. It makes local and foreign visitors happy and exciting. The festival starts 12th Nov, 2008 this year and 1st Nov, 2009 next year. The nearest town is Taunggyi.

(6) Kakku Pagoda Festival in Shan State

The amazing clusters of pagodas and thousands of Pa O people are interesting to all. The nearest town is Taunggyi. The second festival is on 1st Nov, 2009.
 

- Shwemyetmhan Pagoda Festival in Pegu Division

The Golden Spectacled Buddhist Image Pagoda Festival is located in Shwe Taung. 

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