Shwedagon Pagoda Festivals and Myanmar Festivals

Shwedagon Pagoda, an indispensable image of Yangon travel, is also associated with many religious festivals taking place during almost every months of the Myanmar lunar calendar.

On the days of festival, the Shwedagon’s stairways and platform are filled up by endless streams of devotees all day.

This article shows herewith some significant festivals of Shwedagon Pagoda and also national festivals of Myanmar.

1. Tabaung Festival

Tabaung Festival is held to celebrate the day when the Shwedagon Pagoda was completed. There are many activities taking place during this special occasion such as the veneration of the Buddha, the donation for monks  and the water ritual.

The festival falls on the Full Moon Day of the Myanmar month

Time: February- March

2. Thin-gyan Festival

Thingyan is Myanmar New Year Festival which is celebrated in 4 days. In these day, people throwing water on each other because they believe that the water will wash away the bad lucks and sins of the previous year. This is the national festival, therefore, all activities and businesses are closed during this special occasion.

Time: in April.

3. Kasone Festival

Kasone festival or the Buddha Day Festival is one of the most important festivals of the Burmese Buddhism. The celebration is held to mark the birth of the Buddha after being enlightened under the banyan tree. Many rituals and activities will occur in this day, in particular the water pouring ceremony.

Time: April – May

4. Waso Festival

The festival occurs on the beginning day of the Buddhist Lent with the main ceremony of offering the robes and food to the monks. Monks in Myanmar are not allow to earn a living. All their daily supplies and clothes are donated by the communities.

Time: in July.

5. Thadingyut Festival

Thadingyut festival, also known as lighting festival is held on the last day of Buddhist Lent which celebrates the returning of the Buddha from the heaven. This is the most liveliest and popular festival in Myanmar. Traditional performances, market fair and many more interesting activities will take place in this 3 day festival.

Time: in October

6. Tazaungdaing Festival

Another festival of light in Myanmar, Tauzaungdaing festival is held throughout the country to mark the end of the rainy season. Highlighted activity:  Robe – weaving competition.

Time: in November.