'Exclusive Travel Experience with Myanmar Tourism Services'

Myanmar is the land of festival. Since our people fond of fun, there is at least one festival for every month. Most of the festivals are cultural and religious those celebrate nation-wide. And a few are specifically regional. Festivals are long-lasting, enjoyable in Myanmar. There's often a country-fair atmosphere about these festivals – at same convenient grounds there will be numerous stalls and activities that go on all night. We are delighted to determine as follow:
 

We are willing to arrange your journey to coincide with festivals. These celebrations such as Ananda Pagoda Festival, Thingyan – Water Festival and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, etc… offer a perfect chance to join the local.

1. Manaw Festival
Where : Myitkyina, Kachin State
When : 10th January 2008
Event : Kachin is one of the states in Myanmar where the delightful festival is held by the Kachin people, the hill people. It is the celebration of the New Year, Victory in battles and reunion of the tribes. Everyone delightfully joins the spiritual dance lined up behind one another. The traditional poles which are beautifully decorated are placed in the center of the festival ground. The main feature of the festival is to dance around the erected Manaw poles. This festival is held in Myitkyina and Putao in Kachin State.
Wearing best traditional costume and dancing around Manaw Poles. Participate all Kachin tribes suck Kharku, Thaisan, Lacheik, Rawang, Thaikhamt and Lisu. Its also a how of gratitude to ancestral spirits and all participants pray for a bright future.

2. Naga New Year Festival
Where : Chin State
When : 12 – 16 Jan 2008
Event : There are estimated more than 150,000 Nagas, comprising of 12 major tribes and many sub-tribes, dwelling in Myanmar. Since hundreds years, Nagas live high in the Northwestern hills region, along the India border, but in recent years, many have moved to the Chin Dwin River Valley around the Sagaing Division and Chin State. Despite they share basically in agricultural, hunting, and animal husbandry lifestyle, each tribe has developed in a different way that can be observed in individual costumes, weaving styles, bodies and facial tattoos, head-dresses or hats and other individualized ornaments. That there can be proud and having people, Nagas are well known that they are honest and brave. They celebrate their Naga New Year festival in January each year.

3. Ananda Pagoda Festival
Where : Ananda Temple in Bagan, Mandalay Division
When : 9 Jan – 21 Feb 2008
Event : Ananda Pagoda is the surviving masterpiece of Mon architecture, completed in 1091 built by Bagan's second great king Kyansittha. It has four 9.5 meters teak Buddhas representing four Buddhas of this world-cycle. The festival with the last two days being the most important. You will see popular sales fair around the pagoda with many stalls selling various local products and a caravan of bullock-carts camp under the shady trees. In the evening you will be entertained by beautiful Myanmar traditional performances.

4. Kyaik Khauk Pagoda
Where : Kyaik Khauk Pagoda, Thanlyin, Yangon Division
When : 15 Feb – 21 Feb 2008
Event : Kyaik Khauk Pagoda perches on the hillock of Uttarangha of Hlaine-Poke to the South of Thanlyin. The Pagoda is cist-type stupa and resting on high octagonal terraces with projection at the corners then tapering to a top crowned by a 9-tier spire. A large amount of stalls are selling local foods, ceramic and clay pots of all sizes, furniture and bamboo mats. Myanmar musical dance troupes entertain through out the whole night. The atmosphere around the pagoda is similar to fun fair.

5. Mahamuni Pagoda Festival
Where : Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay, Mandalay Division
When : 20 Feb – 21 Feb 2008
Event : The number of monks charts Buddhist scriptures nonstop. Making Htamane (glutinous rice with sesame, coconut, peanut with ginger) contests are held on the pagoda's platform for the whole night and in the early morning of full moon day of Dabodwe – 11th month of Myanmar lunar calenda (21 Feb 2008), offer it to the Buddha. Thousands of people from all over the country make the pilgrimage to the Pagoda. The evening entertainment includes zats (a variety of dances, songs, short and long plays), anyeints (comedies dances), open-air movies and many stalls selling up various traditional snacks & other utilities.

6. Shwe Umin Pagoda Festival
Where : Padaya Caves, Pindaya, Shan State
When : 17 Mar – 21 Mar 2008
Event : Pindaya is famous for its limestone caves, over looking a lake the caves House Thousands of Buddha images. The main cave is fully packed with a variety of Buddha-images, stupas, figures and embellishments along its length datable not earlier than 16th century. Curiously, Indian style images and donors are experienced in a reasonable number. The cool breeze and panoramic view on the environs, including Botaloke Lake at a distance are of fantastic and incredible. All tribes in Shan State come and pay homage to the pagoda. They are in their colourful costumes. You can enjoy hundreds of shop selling variety of native products.

7. Baw Gyo Pagoda Festival
Where : Baw Gyo Pagoda, Hsibaw, Shan State
When : 16 March – 21 March 2008
Event : This famous pagoda is over 700 years old. Local legend has it that Bagan King Narapathisithu was given a piece of celestial wood of which four Buddha images were carved. Annually the four sacred Buddha images are taken out only during the festival for pilgrims to pay homage and offer gold leaves. You will see exciting boat races on Dottawadi River and a lot of trading (jewelry, tea leaves, etc.) going on between Myanmar and Shan minorities living in hilly areas. You can look around many stalls lined up selling local products and traditional performances and gambling games (only allowed during the festival!) taking place.

8. Kakku Pagoda Festival
Where : Kakku Pagoda Complex, Taunggyi, Shan State
When : 21 March 2008
Event : Kakku a hidden treasure an unusual, magnificent collection of Buddhist Stupas unheard of by historians and unlisted in guide books lies in the deepest Pa-oh territory, 26 miles south of Taunggyi the capital of Shan State. There lies more than 2000 stupas in a site closely packed together in ranks covering an area of approximately a square kilometer apparently unknown to outside world. Kakku area is covered and scattered by Pa-oh villages especially stretching along on both sides of the main road from north to south.
All tribes in Shan State come and pay homage to the pagoda. They are in their colourful costumes. You can enjoy hundreds of shops selling variety of native products.

9. Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda Festival
Where : Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda, Bago, Bago Division
When : 13 Apr – 25 Apr 2008
Event : The Shwemawdaw or 'Great Golden God Pagoda' of Bago has been growing for more than 1000 years. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda whose spire can be seen behind this impressive entrance portal, was originally built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954. The pagoda was originally built by 2 merchants, Taphussa and Bhalita, to house some hair relics of the Buddha. Originally built to a height of 23 meters, it has over the centuries become the tallest of the Burmese pagodas. As with other pagodas, this growth in size occurred during numerous reconstruction periods, usually following great earthquakes. The most recent quake, in 1930, nearly leveled the ancient structure and it was not until 1952 that it again dominated the Bago skyline. Legends say that enshrined beneath the towering pagoda are the hairs and teeth of the Buddha. Because of these relics, Shwemawdaw is visited by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours of the day and night. During the festival, vendors come from far and near and build temporary shops made of bamboo to sell their local products as in the usual case of a pagoda festival in Myanmar. Dancing troupes perform onstage for a whole night.

10. Thingyan Festival and Myanmar New Year Festival.
Where : All over the country
When : 13 Apr – 17 Apr 2008
Event : Thingyan Festival has been held since the Bagan period. It is held according to the Luna calendar. It usually falls in the month of April. Throwing water at others and getting wet be others. People build temporary pavilions and from there throw water at passers by and revel are going around in open cars and trucks. Traditional foods are offered as donation to whoever passing by, it is called "Satuditha" . In the evening dancing troupes go around in decorated floats to compete in dancing and rap style satirical singing contests held through out the country. It is a celebration of enjoying the water festival as well as welcoming Myanmar New Year. The elderly and the pious perform a lot of meritorious deeds while the younger gather together to joyfully sing and dance. If you like getting wet, this is the only festival which you should participate.

11. Bo Tree Watering Festival
Where : All over the country
When : 19 May 2008
Event : Since this day was not only the birthday of Buddha but also attained Buddha hood while sitting in meditation under a Bo Tree and attained Nivana at the age of 80 years., full moon day of Kason in one of the holiest day of the years for the Buddhist. And this month is the holiest month in Myanmar. That's the reason for Buddhists pouring water on the Bo tree. Women from the neighborhood carry small pots on the heads and go to Bo tree in procession to pour water. Men accompany with them playing traditional musical instruments.

12. Popa Ceremony
Where : Mt. Popa, near Bagan, Mandalay Division
When : 22 May 2008
Event : Mount Popa is located 67km southeast of Bagan. It is an extinct volcano rising 1518 meters high out of the plains. This solitary peak is home of Myanmar's most powerful "NATS"- a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honored by some Myanmar people. They still believe that Nats can make life difficult if they are not accorded sufficient respect. This festival is to pay respect to the Nat (spirits) " the Black-smith, Maung Tint Te (Min Maha Giri)" who was killed by King of Tagaung for his strength. Bagan King made a place as shrine for him and effectively starting the official worship on Nat in Myanmar. Nat believers from all over the country come and pay respect to Mt. Popa and the Nat shrines.

13. Mahamuni Waso Festival (Chin Lone Competition)
Where : Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay, Mandalay Division
When : 17 July 2008
Event : Cane Ball or Chin Lone is a popular traditional sport played all over the country. The most famous Chin Lone competitions are held in the magnificent Mandalay, where cane ball players from all over the country come together for the big event. You can enjoy several Chin Lone performances and exciting tournaments by either team or individual while local music played to entertain the audience.

14. Taung Byone Nat Festival
Where : Taung Byone, Mandalay Division
When : 9 Aug – 16 Aug 2008
Event : The most crowed Nat (spirit) festival in Myanmar. People all over the country come and worship the Nat. the festival of Taung Byone in a very peculiar and particular festival that although Myanmar Buddhists are not actually spirits worshippers, thousands of country folks and townspeople alike flock to this yearly festival of "Nats" near Mandalay to participate in its joyous, light-hearted merrymaking. The small Taung Byone Hill and surrounding areas had been "awarded" to the "Nats" as a special province of their own by Myanmar Kings since the Bagan Dynasty in the 11th century. Once a year, festivals are held to honor these "Nats" – Taung Byone Brother Nats (Ko Daw Gyi & Ko Daw Lay).

15. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Where : Inle Lake, Shan State
When : 30 Sept – 16 Oct 2008
Event : One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small Buddha images, which are much revered by the lake-dwellers. Four Buddha statues from Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda are tugging clockwise around Inle Lake on a royal barge by the demonstration on led rowed boats. The event leg-rowed boat races are being held through out. So many of other vessels travel in the entourage in a general celebratory atmosphere. Thousand of people from around the Shan State attend this most holy of Shan celebrations.
Detailed festival program 2008 >>

16. Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
Where : Kyaunse, 26 miles south of Mandalay
When : 15 Oct 2008
Event : Kyauk-Se is a thriving town which is located on the Yangon-Mandalay highway, where Light Festival and Elephant Dancing Festival are held in the month of Thadingyut (the seventh month of Myanmar Lunar calendar). Two men have to get inside the life-size hollowed-out paper made elephants and imitate the movement of a real elephant. A lead man coordinates the movement of the dancers and he is assisted by a small group of musicians. The entire town participates in this competition, not only for the best elephant, but also for the best decorated elephant effigy. People from the surrounding areas, some as far as away as Mandalay, participate in this festival.

17. Thidingyut Festival
Where : All over the country
When : 13 Oct – 15 Oct 2008
Event : Thidingyut is the seventh month of Myanmar lunar calendar and the end of lent. It is a three-day light festival, the day before full moon day, the full moon day and the day after full moon day. People light up their homes with decorative lights to welcome back Buddha by lighting the way for him who came down from the Celestial Abode after spending 3 months of the Buddhist lent there preaching Abidhamma. Even government buildings are beautiful lighted up on this Full Moon Day of Thidingyut.

18. Hot Air Balloon Festival
Where : Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State
When : 10 Nov – 12 Nov 2008
Event : On this special occasion, people enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework-launching competitions. The firework is in the form of rockets. There is also hot balloons competitions on the day and night occasions. Balloon sending up are made of bamboo and paper. There are many variety kinds of shape, some are huge with fire crackers and some are of the shape of animals. Balloon sending up competition is also held during the festival.

19. Khaung Hmu Daw Pagoda Festival
Where : Kaung Hmu Daw Pagoda, Sagaing, Sagaing Division
When : 12 November 2008
Event : Situated about 9 kilometers out of Sagaing, lies the most distinctive temple of the region. Built by King Thalun in 1636, it takes the shape of a perfect hemisphere (legend says it is a copy of the perfect breasts of the King's favorite wife!). Every year Buddhists celebrate the festival by lightening the candles around the temple. The same as other pagoda festivals, the evening entertainment includes Zats (a variety of dances, songs, short and long plays), anyeints (comedies dances), open-air movies and many stalls selling up various traditional snacks & other utilities. But the most interested aspect of the festival is the caravan of bullock carts in the pagoda compound, some carrying village products like hand-woven cotton cloths and rotten mats for sale as the festival.

20. Po Win Taung Cave Festival
Where : Po Win Taung, Monywa, Sagaing division
When : 7 Nov – 12 Nov 2008
Event : Po Win Taung is about 300 meters high and located across Chindwin River near Monywa. You will be amazed to see about 450,000 Buddha images and ancient paintings (some dated back to the same century as the Bagan Dynasty) on natural rock walls inside the cave. The festival is popular for being the one and only market which sells various products such as Myanmar Thanaka, sandalwood, leaves, fruits, roots, thorns and tubera from western wilderness of Chindwin River on a large scale.