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ANANDA FESTIVAL
Jan. 17 - Feb. 08, 2005
The Ananda Festival in January is a 15-day-festival, the last two days
being the most important ones. Alms bowls filled with crops are
offered to monks who are all waiting in line. Pilgrims and
holidaymakers in country bullock carts can be seen. In the area in
front of the temple there are many foodstalls and merchants from the
whole region around Bagan.
GOLDEN
HILLTOP FESTIVAL
Kyaik Khauk Pagoda, Feb. 16 - 23, 2005
The atmosphere at the Festival of the Golden Hilltop of
Kyaik Khauk Pagoda is similar to a fun fair. A multitude of
stalls are offering local foods, ceramic and clay
pots of all sizes, furniture and bamboo mats.
Myanmar musical dance troupes entertain
throughout the whole night hundreds of people.
MAHAMUNI PAGODA FESTIVAL
Mandalay, Feb. 22 - 23, 2005
falls on the full moon day of the
Myanmar month of Thabodwe.
This festival usually lasts for 2 days. Glutinous
rice (which is a delicacy) contests are also held
on the pagoda’s platform. A variety of
incense sticks are burnt for the Myanmar Buddha
image on the full moon day.
During this festival thousands of people from all
over the country make the pilgrimage to the
Mahamuni Pagoda. The temple is always the center
of activities and during this festival it
explodes with energy.
SHWE
OO MIN PAGODA FESTIVAL
Pindaya Cave, Mar. 19 - 24, 2005
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.
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MAUNG
DONG NAT FESTIVAL
Monywa, Mar. 29 - Apr. 01, 2005
This festival is
known to be the most important gathering of witches
imaginable. According to the legend, Ye Kin Kadaw, the
Queen of the Witches, the favourite wife of King Taung U,
had extraordinary powers. The king sent her into exile,
as his other wifes did not like her supernatural power.
She went to Maung Dong, where she got drowned. Her oldest
statue, only 30 centimeters high, can thus be found in
Maung Dong. During this festival all 37 kinds of nats
will be placed in a shrine, devotees offering them
bunches of bananas, green coconuts, betel leaves,
colourful arrangements of flowers and ‘money
bouquets’.
AH-LONE FESTIVAL
Apr. 03 - 08, 2005
On the Shwe Bo Road, twelve kilometers north of Monywa,
the town of Ah-Lone celebrates its festival in March. The heroine of this festival is Ma
Ngwe Daung (Ms. Silver Wings) who was a daughter of the
Ah-Lone Bodaw, a minor indian prince who came through
Tamu and Kaleitmyo to Myanmar. The celebration of this
festival is related to the love story of Ma Ngwe Daung.
During the festival the pilgrims appeal to Ma Ngwe Daung
to give them the opportunity to have as many mistresses
as hairs on their head. The festival appeals also to
pilgrims wishing to control or to spirit away illness
with the lustral waters on offer there.
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THINGYAN WATER FESTIVAL |
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SHWE KYUN PIN
NAT PWE MINGUN (NAT FESTIVAL IN
MINGUN)
Mandalay, Aug. 05 - 07, 2005
during the Myanmar month of Tabaung. According to the legend, the youngest brother of
King Mindon fomented a rebellion and succedded 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 delared 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.
TAUNG BYONE NAT PWE MADAYAR (TAUNG
BYONE NAT FESTIVAL)
Mandalay, Aug. 14 - 19, 2005
This festival is known as the major gathering spot for
spiritual mediums. According to the legend, Byat Wi and Byat Ta, two
Indian brothers, got extraordinary powers after they ate the body of a
dead alchemist. Byat Wi, the older brother, lost his supernatural
power, after he walked under a clothesline on which women's skirts
used in childbed had been hung. He was captured and died after his
loved ones offered him a quid of betel and a cup of water. Byat Ta was
killed by King Anawrahta's magical lance, after he was again late to
bring the fresh flowers from Mt. Popa for the Royal Audience, and
thereupon his wife Popa Medaw also died from broken heart.
15 years later, the two
sons of Byat Ta and Popa Medaw, which were adopted by King Anawratha,
forgot to bring one brick each to build the "Pagoda of Wishes".
King Anawratha soon found out, who was responsible for this omission
and gave the order to gently hit them with a fillet stick. As they
were in the trap which the king's son, Kyansittha, planned from
beginning on, they were instead hardly hit with a bamboo stick and
died. Hundreds of mediums (Nat-Kadaw) and thousands of pilgrims come once a year to Taung Byone, where the statues of the two brothers are
placed in a shrine and there stands still the "Pagoda of Wishes"
with the two missing stones. It is the most impressive Nat Festival in
Myanmar. Offerings and dances, the inflow of merchants, the constant
arrival of pilgrims and the intensive uses of loudspeakers continue
day and night.
YADANA GU NAT FESTIVAL
Amapura, Mandalay, Aug. 29 - Sep. 02, 2005
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.
BO BO GYI NAT FESTIVAL
Taungthaman Inn, Mandalay, Sep. 20 - Oct. 02, 2005
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 tealeaf
packets at one another from racing exacts. It is regarded as a pledge
that one who is hit must take a visit next year with out fail.
PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA FESTIVAL
Inle Lake, Oct. 03 - 20, 2005
Watch the procession of leg-rowed boats, which are ceremoniously
tugging four Buddha statues situated on a royal barge clockwise around
Inle Lake. Throughout the event leg-rowed boat races are being held
and you will come across them during the excursion on the lake.
Hundreds of other vessels travel in the entourage in a general festive
atmosphere. Thousands of people from around the Shan State attend this
most holy of all Shan celebrations.
MYA THA LUN PAGODA FESTIVAL
Magwe, Oct. 12 - Nov. 01, 2005
Buddhist chanting, early morning offering to 1,700 monks, and the
lighting of 9,000 candles are major activities. The scenic beauty of
the pagoda, situated on the riverbank, is dramatic.
THE THADINGYUT (FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS)
Throughout Myanmar, Oct. 15 - 17, 2005
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.
DUMMY ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
Kyauk Se, Mandalay, Oct. 16 - 17, 2005
This unique and exotic elephant dance held at Kyaukse, a small town
not far from Mandalay. A huge but light elephant figure is made with
bamboo and paper. Men take their places inside the figure and dance
around the town to the accompaniment of Dobat and Drums. The elephant
dancers circle three times at the foot of the hill to pay homage to
the Shwethalyaung Pagoda. It is a dance that requires precise rhythm
and timing in order for the elephant dancers to maintain uniformity
inside the elephant figure. Numerous life-size paper dummy elephants
sing and dance to the accompaniment of music.
INDEIN PAGODA FESTIVAL
Inle Lake, Oct. 22 - 25, 2005
Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old sharine complex in Inle
Lake.
SHWEZIGON FESTIVAL
Bagan, Nov. 08 - 30, 2005
Candlelights and fireworks are carried in procession before offering
to the pagoda.
BALLOON FESTIVAL
Taunggyi, Nov. 10 - 15, 2005
The fireworks are in the form of rockets. There is always hot balloons
competition day and night. Day balloons are usually in the form of
Pagodas, and animals such as elephant, dragon or ducks while the night
balloons usually in the shape of rugby ball, huge elongated paper
balls with small lighted multicolored paper lanterns hung around their
sides and balloons would sting along fireworks and fire sticks which
are set off mid-air fireworks.
ROBE WEAVING CONTEST
Throughout Myanmar, Nov. 14, 2005
On this particular full moon eve groups of young women take part of
competition held on the platforms of the pagodas. The robe is to be
finished flawlessly overnight and offered at dawn to the Buddha images
around the pagodas.
KYAIKHTIYO PAGODA FESTIVAL
Golden Rock, Nov. 14 - 15, 2005
The boulder, standing on the edge of a peak in the highest mountain
range, is said to be freely hanging over the cliff. The place is
famous as a pilgrimage and holiday outing spot. On this particular
full moon day number total 9,999 candles are ceremoniously lit at mid
night.
POEWINTAUNG CEREMONY
Poewintaung Ceremony Monywa, Nov. 14 - 16, 2005
The one and only market where leaves, fruits, roots, thorns, tubera,
stems of any herbal value from the wilderness west of the Chindwin
River are sold on a large scale.
TAZAUGDINE LIGHT FESTIVAL
Throughout Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2005
Another festival of light held on the full moon day throughout the
country. Home and streets are illuminated and Buddhists are provided
robe and various requisites at Kathein (Ceremony of offering robes to
monks). On this particular full moon day number total 9,999 candles
are ceremoniously lit at mid night. Visitors are served with mixed
salad of maezali buds, believed to possess powerful, magical and
medicinal properties if eaten at this time.
KAUNG MUDAW FESTIVAL
Sagaing, Nov. 15 - 20, 2005
The best spot to watch Myanmar puppets. Pilgrimage and holiday outings
on country oxcarts can be seen.
SHAN NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Kyaingtung, Nov. 24, 2005
Many different Shan tribes are celebrate with offering to the Buddha
and traditional dance and feast.
MT. POPA NAT SPIRIT FESTIVAL
Mt. Popa, Dec. 14 - 15, 2005
Mt. Popa being considered most important Nat worshipping center,
thousands of country folks and town people in their joyous, light-hearted
and merrymaking in this particular festival. Thousands of animals were
sacrificed to the Nats during the festival however this practice has
been stopped since Bagan period. Spirit possession and overall drunken
ecstasy are part of the celebration.
© 1999 Myriam Grest Thein