DATE |
FESTIVAL |
PLACE |
EVENTS |
|
10 Jan 2012
|
Kachin
Manaw Festival
|
Myitkyina
|
Festival
for all Kachin tribes. One of the biggest events in Northern
Myanmar.
|
|
1
Jan – 23 Jan 2012
|
Ananda
Pagoda
|
Bagan
|
Bowls
of alms filled with crops are offered to monks who all wait in a
long line.
Pilgrimage
and holiday outings on country bullock carts can be seen.
|
|
13
- 15 Jan 2012
|
Naga
New Year
|
Leshi
,Chin State
|
Animals
are slaughtered in sacrifice followed by singing, dancing and
drinking of home made alcohol beverages the whole night by a huge
bonfire.
|
|
2 8
Jan – 25 Apr 2012
|
Shwe-set-taw
Pagoda
|
Minbu,
Magway.
|
Pilgrimage
to this Pagoda is only possible in the dry season. 2 footprints
of Lord Buddha are said to have been left at Shwe-set-taw when he
visited there.
|
|
3 1
Jan – 8 Feb 2012
|
Kyaik-Khauk
Pagoda
|
Thanlyin
|
Like
all Myanmar pagoda festivals, local products and snacks are sold,
people visit by wearing colorful dresses and ornaments.
Traditional
dances are performed at make shift theaters during the festival.
|
|
6
- 7 Feb 2012
|
Mahamuni
Ceremonies
|
Mandalay
|
On
the morning of 15th waxing day, incense is burnt in large flames
in a symbolic gesture of offering sweet smell to the great image.
|
|
22
Feb -
7 Mar 2012
|
Maw-tin-sun
Pagoda
|
Ngapudaw,
near Pathein
|
Long
and secluded beach stretch between Pagoda Point and Cape Negrais
is haven both for beach lovers and beach bums alike.
|
|
24
Feb -
2 Mar 2012
|
Pakhan
Ko Gyi Kyaw Nat (spiritual being)
|
Shwe-Gu-Ni
village,Yezagye
(Bet:
Pakoku and Myingyan)
|
1st
day
- Ko Gyi Kyaw is coaxed and he ascends the throne, 2nd
day
- nat figures are cleansed with water and re-gilded , 3rd
day
- drum-thumping for the nat and cock-fighting, 4th
to 7th day
- designated for pacifying Ko Gyi Kyaw, 8th day - Re-enactment
as told in legends.
|
|
29
Feb –
7 Mar 2012
|
Indawgyi
Pagoda
|
Hopin,
Moe-Nyin, Kachin
|
Usually the pagoda
is in the lake surrounded by water. In summer, a footpath leading
to the pagoda surfaces enabling pilgrims to walk to the pagoda
|
|
1
– 8 Mar 2012
|
Pyidaw-byan
Image
|
Zalun,
Ayeyarwady Division
|
First
taken to Mumbai, India by colonialists but later regained. Famous
as the "returnee image". Robe-weaving contest and bowl
of alms offering are major highlights.
|
|
1
– 8 Mar 2012
|
Kakku
Pagoda
|
Kakku,
Taunggyi
|
Traditional
Pa-o theatrical performances and singing contests are included.
|
|
2
– 7 Mar 2012
|
Baw-gyo
Pagoda
|
Thibaw
|
A
large volume of Shan and Myanmar Merchandise
is traded.
Boat
races on dote-hta-wa-di river.
|
|
2
– 7 Mar 2012
|
Pindaya
Cave
|
Pindaya,
Shan
|
Typical
Taung-yo pagoda festival. Different
ethnic minorities can also be seen.
|
|
4
– 8 Mar 2012
|
Nan-pan
Ceremony
|
Nan-Pan
village, Inle lake
|
The
sight of numerous monks who come in boats and receive food
offerings is striking.
|
|
7
Mar 2012
|
Shwedagon
Tabaung Festival
|
Shwedagon
pagoda, YGN
|
Ceremonies
at Shwedagon pagoda. Vendors of all kinds and visitors from
various part of Myanmar.
|
|
8
– 15 Mar 2012
|
Shwe
Saryan Pagoda
|
Shwe
Saryan village, Patheingyi, Mdy
|
Merchandise
from northern Shan State and other part of the country are
exchanged at the pagoda bazaar. Toys made of palm leaf is
specialty of the festival.
|
|
23
– 27 Mar 2012
|
Ka
Do Poe Festival
|
Loikaw
|
Loikaw
is the Capital town situated in South Eastern part of the country
and the state is bordering with Thailand. It is the state of
Kayan people ( one of the Myanmar Nationals) and Ke Hto Bo are
Religious flags that they believe as scared poles. Around Loikaw
built many small villages where Padaung people (long neck women)
live. One can also tell the age of a village by checking at Ke
Hto Bo.
|
|
30
Mar –
11 Apr 2012
|
Shwe-maw-daw
Pagoda
|
Bago
|
Theatrical
artists perform on stage with full force to show their
competitive edge over their counterparts and to win future
performance contracts.
|
|
12
Apr 2012
|
Thanaka
grinding Event
|
Sittwe,
Rakhine
|
In
the early part of the night, young women grind thanaka barks and
roots to a fine cream usually by using water on rounded stone
slabs.
Young
men play musical instruments and dance to support the event
|
|
13
– 16 Apr 2012
|
Water
Festival
|
Through-out
the Country
|
The
festival is held prior to Myanmar new year to cleanse away evil
deeds of the past year with water. Youths go out for enjoyment
while elders take retreat in monasteries and pagoda
premises
to perform meritorious deeds.
|
|
13
Apr 2012
|
Image-bathing
Event
|
Sittwe,
Rakhine
|
Buddha
images are cleansed with aromatic Thanaka water, made earlier by
girls.
|
|
19
Apr 2012
|
Popa
Nat Ceremony
|
Mt.
Popa, near Bagan
|
During
Thingyan water festival, pilgrims from the country pay respect to
Popa Nat shrines.
|
|
17
Apr 2012
|
Myanmar
New Year
|
Through-out
the Country
|
People
did meritorious deeds throughout the day by releasing life fishes
in the ponds, wash hair and clean the old aged people.
|
|
4
– 5 May 2012
|
Shwe-kyet-yet
Pagoda
|
Mandalay
|
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 (i.e Full-moon day of Kason).
|
|
5
May 2012
|
Kason
festival
|
Through-out
the Country
|
Pouring
water onto the sacred Bo tree commemorates Buddha's birthday.
|
|
5
May 2012
|
Shit-thaung
Pagoda
|
Mrauk-U,
Rakhine
|
Dummy
boat races on land, real boat races and water splashing in
Mrauk-U canal on full-moon day.
|
|
5
May 2012
|
Kyaik-pon
Pagoda
|
Bago
|
Merry
makers and pilgrims from Bago area visit this auspicious day.
|
|
10
– 13 May 2012
|
Shwe
Guni Pagoda
|
Monywa
|
Bazaar
for Thanaka and lacquer ware from Kyauk-kar is the specialty of
the event.
|
|
21
May – 19 Jul 2012
|
Wicker
Ball Ceremony
|
Mahamuni,
Mandalay
|
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 event to watch Myanmar chin-lone game.
|
|
28
May – 12 Jun 2012
|
Thihoshin
Pagoda
|
Pakkoku
|
Paying
homage to the image presented by the King of Ceylon some 800
years ago.
|
|
1
– 2 Aug 2012
|
Shinbinsagyo
Pagoda
|
Salay
|
The
pagoda is noted for Buddhist paintings and carvings that are
rested finest. Another ceremony is held on full-moon day of
Thidingyut.
|
|
2
Aug – 1 Sept 2012
|
Fish
Feeding Ceremony
|
Kyaung-taw-ya,
near Magwe
|
Held
on the bank of Mone canal in Magwe. Groups of cat -fishes are fed
throughout the Buddhist Lent, when many locals believe is the
only time the fish appear.
|
|
2
Aug 2012
|
Ponnyashin
Pagoda
|
Sagaing
|
Both
pilgrims and merry makers from nearby villages spend their day
at the Pagoda.
|
|
18
– 20 Aug 2012
|
Shwe
Kyun Pin Nat ceremony
|
Mingun
|
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 Ayeyarwady.
Spirit
dances included. 1st day - attending a nat audience, 2nd day -
having a royal bath, 3rd day - cutting down htein tree.
|
|
27
Aug –
1 Sept 2012
|
Taung
Byone Nat ceremony
|
Matara,
near Mandalay
|
Held
for worshipping two Taungbyone spiritual figures. Major gathering
spot for spiritual mediums. Spirit dances are rampant.
1st
day - attending a nat audience, 2nd day - having a royal bath,
3rd day - ascending the throne, 4rd day - presenting roast
rabbit, 6th day - cutting down htein tree
|
|
11
– 15 Sept 2012
|
Yadanar
Gu Nat ceremony
|
Amarapura
|
Held
for Mother of two Taungbyone brothers. Most enjoyable because of
the rowing boat trip to the site. Spirit dances are rampant.
1st day - attending a nat audience,
2nd
day - having a royal bath, 3rd day - ascending the throne, 4rd
day - daughter of Mahagiri reels on the ground in grief, 6th day
- closing by cutting down htein tree.
|
|
22
– 23 Sep 2012
|
Bupaya
Pagoda Festival
|
Bagan
|
Local
boat racing ceremony in the Ayeyarwaddy River is held during the
festival.
|
|
28
– 30 Sep 2012
|
Tooth
Relic Procession
|
Paung-de,
near Pyay
|
The
Tooth Relic mounted on an elephant, is taken the town on
full-moon day in full-dress ceremony. During 3 days of
festivities it is put on display for worshippers.
After
the ceremony, the relic is kept inside a heavily locked chamber
for the rest of the year.
|
|
30
Sep 2012
|
Boe-min-gaung
Memorial
|
Boe-min-gaung
shrine, Popa
|
Boe-min-gaung
is remembered for higher attainment in meditation practices. He
was said to have found the way out of the worldly sufferings
|
|
16
Oct – 2 Nov 2012
|
Phaung
Daw Oo Pagoda Fest and Leg rower Boat racing
|
Inlay
Lake
|
Four
Buddha images are ceremoniously tugged clockwise around the lake
on the royal barge by leg-rowing boats. They return home on third
waning day. Leg-rowing boat races are held throughout the event.
|
|
25
Oct –
13 Nov 2012
|
Myathalon
Pagoda
|
Magwe
|
Buddhist
chanting, early morning rice-offering to 1700 monks and the
lighting of 9000 candles are major activities. The scenic beauty
of the pagoda, situated on the river bank,
is
dramatic. Famous utensils made of iron are sold at a large scale.
|
|
29
Oct –
1 Nov 2012
|
Kyauk-taw-gyi
Pagoda
|
Mandalay
|
The
image was cast out of a single piece of alabaster in 1864 under
the guidance of King Mindon.
|
|
29 Oct
– 1 Nov 2012
|
Thidingyut
Lighting Festival
|
Through-out
the Country
|
To
mark the day Lord Buddha came down from the Celestial. Abode
after spending 3 months of the Buddhist Lent there. Buddha's
return is remembered and commemorated throughout the country with
colorful illuminations.
|
|
29
– 30 Oct 2012
|
Elephant
Dance
|
Kyauk-se,
MDY
|
From
14th
waxing day until the full-moon day
numerous life-size dummy elephants sing and dance to the
accompaniment of music.
|
|
30
Oct
2012 – Jul 2013
|
Kyaik-htiyo
Pagoda
|
Kyaik-htiyo
|
Approx
9 month long season. The boulder standing on the edge of a peak
in the highest mountain range, is said to be freely hanging over
the cliff. Famous as pilgrimage and holiday outing spot. 9000
candles are lighted as to offer the Buddha.
|
|
3 1
Oct 2012
|
Light-float
Festival
|
Shwekyin,
Bago
|
Dances
by day and, on the night of the 1st waning day of Thidingyut.
Light floats dedicated to Shin Upagutta are put onto Shwekyin
canal.
|
|
21
Nov – 13 Dec 2012
|
Shwe-zi-gon
Pagoda
|
Nyaung-U
|
Candle
lights and fireworks are carried in procession before offering to
the pagoda.
|
|
23
– 28 Nov 2012
|
Hot-air
Balloons Festival
(Fire
Balloon Flying Festival)
|
Taung-gyi
|
Special
Tazaungdine festival takes place in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan
State with a hot-air balloon contest is held. Known locally as
the Lu Ping Festival, it is thought to have been originated by
the local Pa-O people. Competitors put a lot of time, effort and
money into preparing for the day time and night time contests.
Day time balloons are mostly made in shapes of Pagodas, dragons,
elephants, mythical hintha birds etc and nigh-time in the form of
a multi tier chandeliers decorated with beautiful fireworks. It
is a kind of both day and night procession.
Last
day is the price giving day.
|
|
26
– 28 Nov 2012
|
Thanbodde
Pagoda
|
Monywa
|
The
pagoda is famous for its late Myanmar era sculpture.
|
|
27
– 29 Nov 2012
|
Phowintaung
Pagoda
|
Monywa
|
The
one and only market where leaves, roots, fruits, barks, thorns,
tubers, stems of any herbal value from the western wilderness of
the Chindwin River are sold on a large scale.
|
|
27
Nov 2012
|
Robe
Weaving Contest
|
Shwedagon,
Botataing Pagoda, YGN
|
On
the 14th waxing day of Tazaunmon, groups of young women take part
in competitions held on the platforms of the pagodas. The robe is
to be finished flawlessly overnight
and
offered at dawn to the images around the pagodas.
|
|
27
Nov 2012
|
Astrologers
Ceremony
|
Shweponepwint
Pagoda, YGN
|
Society
of astrologers pay homage to elders. Free astrological
predication for the night.
|
|
28
Nov 2012
|
Tazaung-daing
lighting festival
|
Through-out
the Country
|
Having
fine weather and clear sky, and having the first crop harvested.
Myanmar celebrate the night with various kinds of illuminations.
|
|
28
Nov 2012
|
Candle
Light Event
|
Koe-htat-gyi,
YGN
|
On
full-moon day. 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit. At midnight,
visitors are served with mixed salad of maezali buds, believed to
possess powerful, magical and medicinal
properties if eaten at this time.
|
|
28
Nov –
3 Dec 2012
|
Kaung-hmu-daw
Pagoda
|
Sagaing
|
The
best spot to watch Myanmar puppet as at Sutaungbyi pagoda
festival in Monywa. Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country
oxcarts can be seen.
|
|
28
Nov. 2012
|
Maha
An Htoo Kanthar Pagoda
|
Maymyo
|
18:00pm
(9000 Candle Lighting Ceremony at Pagoda)
|
|
29
Nov. 2012
|
Maha
An Htoo Kanthar Pagoda
|
Maymyo
|
21:30pm
(Night Hot Air Balloons Competition and Award-giving Ceremony)
|
|
14
Dec 2012
|
Ni-gyaw-da
Festival
|
Pathein
|
Interesting
procession includes demonstrations of the miraculous powers of
Lord Buddha, robbing of a Shan merchant caravan etc.
|
|
21
– 28 Dec 2012
|
Shwemyetmhan
Pagoda
(Golden
Spectacle)
|
Shwetaung,
near Pyay
|
This
is the only image that puts on glasses offered by a certain donor
in colonial time.
|
