2008 - Myanmar Festivals |
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October 2008 <Tawthalin / Thadyingyut> The Thadingyut or Festival of Lights Throughout Myanmar October 13 to 14 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 during the year.  Dummy Elephant festival Kyauk Se, Mandalay
October 13 to 14 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. Mya Tha Lun Pagoda festival (Magwe) October 10 to 28 Buddhist chanting, early morning offering to 1700 monks, and the lighting of 9000 candles are major activities. The scenic beauty of the pagoda, situated on the riverbank, is dramatic. Kyauktawgyi Pagoda festival ( Mandalay) October 13 to 16 The image was cast out of a single piece of alabaster in1864 under the guidance of king Mindon. Festival of Light and fire ball (Kyaing tong ) October 13 to 14 Indein Pagoda festival (Inle Lake) October 19 to 22 Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old sharine complex in Inle Lake. |
