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The Taungpyone Nat festival

About nine miles north of the Mandalay Hill lies the small Taungpyone village nestling quietly among the green fields. In the village stands a small pagoda bearing testimony to the incidents of yore and to the lives and love of the two young princes of Bagan Era.
The Taungpyone Nat festival is held every year in the Myanmar month of Wagaung (August). The Nat festival reaches the climax on the fourth day when the faithful observe the bathing ritual of the two Nat princes, carried on palanquin followed by the train of procession to the Shwe Ta Chaung stream (the Golden stream) which runs close to the west of the village.

Times change and modern life becomes more and more complex yet the simple faith in these two princes of ancient Bagan Era make the faithful come every year renewed hopes and wishes.
In conclusion, The Taungpyone Nat festival is a must for those who want to study the spirit-worship in Myanmar. Be in Mandalay on 9th to 11th August.

Water Festival (April) : is the most significant and the most famous festival in Myanmar marked by splashing, pouring, and throwing icy water at one another regardless of your color, your religion and your background, is Myanmar New Year Water Festival ( Thingyan ). Thingyan falls on 13th April and ends in 17th April every year. Don't miss this once-a-year chance. During Thingyan, smiles are everywhere.

Fun fairs, modern stage shows and traditional dances in the temporary pandals are throughout the country. All things in Thingyan will always be enchanting, attracting and enjoying to you. It is the best time to come and see typical Myanmar's happy-go-lucky, easy-going, and generous nature. Communal-feedings are omnipresent. Should you be luckier, will the blessing April rain shower on you wiping out all the past sins and channeling you to a smoother, brighter and more beautiful future. Welcome to Thingyan. 
 

Symbolizing the limitless wisdom of Buddha, there is a month long sanctified festival for the temple Ananda, the most beautiful one out of 2000 holy monuments in Bagan, Myanmar. It is usually falls on January every year. The busiest day of the festival is on the full-moon day of the lunar month. Villagers and pilgrims around Bagan roll in the sacred site of Ananda for the consecration.

This is also the best time to see not only the ritual of Buddhists but the festival is also meant for social gathering, reunification, propagation and perpetuation of the religion that is Buddhism. During the festival, walk around in sea of vendors and shops that sell traditional Myanmar food-staff and enjoy the local atmosphere in locality.

Tabaung Festival (March) : is the last month of Myanmar lunar clanendar and the most colorful month of the year with Pagoda Festivals throughout the country. The Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held on the full moon of Tabaung (21st March, 2008) and is the month's finest event. Kakku Pagoda festival in Taunggyi is also held in March and the native tribes such as Danu, Pa O, Taung Yoe and Palaung make offerings on the full moon day. Pindaya Shwe Oo Min cave Pagoda festival is held on and around fullmoon day of Tabaung as well. It starts seven days before the full moon day. During the festival time, thousands of devotees come from villages around the area to the cave.
Festivities include performances by roaming artists and there is a busy market. During this festival, visitors can get to know the true religious feelings of the people of Myanmar by participating in events at pagoda fairs or by observing the rituals of the holiday.
 

It is held in commemoration of offering lights to the "Sula Mani Pagoda", built in Tavatimsa (realm of the celestial beings). Jatakas (the Buddha's birth stories) relate that when Prince Theidatta made a great renunciation to become the Buddha, He shed His Hairs and flung them into the sky, there and then the Tagyarmin (King of the celestial beings) took them to enshrine in the Sula Mani Pagoda. To honour this Sula Mani Pagoda, huge fire balloons are floated high above throughout the country.

It is held in Taunggyi, a capital of the southern Shan State. It is said to have been the origin of Pa-o minority. It is celebrated annually on a grand scale for 6 days before the full moon day of Tazaungmone (November). These balloons are released day and night, competing over their beauty, lasting hours and the attitude they can gain.

The exact dates of festival vary from year to year according to the Myanmar lunar calendar. This year, the festival will begins on 19th November and ends at 24th November. Special recommend for 22nd and 23rd Nov as the masterpieces are released at night. While you are in Inle Lake, you can make one night stop in Taunggyi to watch the celebrations.

Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival.

Phaung Daw Oo pagoda festival and it's boat race: the most interesting event due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act.

Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days, usually falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight.

Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event of the festival, especially for foreigners, is their boat race - due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act. This year Phaugdawoo Pagoda festival will begin on 12th October and end on 29th October, 2007. 18th and 29th of October is special recommend for taking photographs.
 

Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival

Celebrated in a town called "Kyaukse", situated near the "Mandalay". This small town is noted for its elephant dancing. These elephants are not real - but made of cloth or paper and borne and animated by two men inside. This procession is accompanied by a music troupe of drums, cymbals, flute and so on.




 

Shwezigon Pagoda Festival

Naga New Year Festival  (2009)

Among the 135 national races, Naga is a minority scattering to the western hills of Myanmar closed to India border. Fierce warriors, head-hunters, animists are a few synonyms to them long ago. Carrying shields and spears, wearing headdresses adorned with animal horns, fur and feather.... Naga Land was an untouchable to intruders. Belong to Tibeto-Myanmar group, now getting more cultured and civilized, they live on with agriculture and livestock.

Khamti, Lahe, Leshi, Htamanthi & Homalin are some of the major places to Naga. They also live in villages along the Chindwin River.

New Year to Naga, in other word, is a Thanksgiving celebration to Mother Nature expecting a better harvest year after. All the Naga come and gather there for the celebration. Best time to see the Naga, their extinct-tradition sampling exotic Naga food. The venue is Leshi Village for 2008 and yet to announce for 2009. It's sponsored by a private firm logistically supported by the Hotel and Tourism Ministry.