2012 - Myanmar Festivals           
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October 2012 <Tawthalin / Thadyingyut> Bo Bo Gyi Nat Festival (Taungthaman Inn, Mandalay) 3rd - 15th October 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) 16th October - 2nd November  The festival is held with great magnificence and pageantry. There will be full of fun fairs and dances everywhere. 4 x holiest Buddha images are ceremoniously tugged clockwise around the lake on a decorated royal barge by leg-rowing boats stopping at each village to let people pay homage. The procession of the Inle leg-rowers in full pageantry and ceremonial splendor is a sight not to be missed by anyone visiting Myanmar. The unique and most interesting event of the festival is, of course, the Shan traditional boat races participated by leg-rowers of both men and women dressed in their national costumes. Phaungdaw O Pagoda festival draws celebrant from far and near not only for the homage of Buddha statutes abut also for great fun fair and for the fame of Intha's <men> and Inthu's <women> unique leg-rowing competitions. Mya Tha Lun Pagoda Festival (Magwe) 26th October - 13 November 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. Thadingyut Light Festival (throughout Myanmar) 29th - 30th October 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)29th - 30th October 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. Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival ( Mandalay) 29th October - 1st November 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 ) 29th - 30th October
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