Thingyan

Thingyan is a festival that occurs in April and marks the beginning of the Burmese New Year.  This festival is celebrated by paying respects to elders, many parades through the streets, water games, and observation of the Buddhist Sabbath.

Bo Tree Watering Festival

This celebration marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.  The festival occurs on the full moon in May and is observed by the watering of the Bo Tree, a species of fig tree that is native to Myanmar.  As legend has it, Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bo Tree.

Dhammasekya Day

This festival occurs on the full moon of July and celebrates the beginning of Buddhist lent as well as the first sermon delivered by the Buddha on The Four Noble Truths.  The festival is celebrated by the donation of monk robes as well as the novitiation ceremonies for young Buddhist monks.

Thadingyut Festival of Lights

This Festival of Lights occurs on October’s full moon and marks the end of Buddhist lent.  It is celebrated by exchanging gifts, visiting pagodas, paying respects to one’s elders, and the lighting of candles.

Tasaungdaing Festival of Lights

This Festival of Lights occurs on the full moon in November.  It marks the end of the rainy season and is celebrated by the lighting of hot air balloons in certain parts of the country (namely, the Shan State and the Pa-O) as well as the lighting of lanterns throughout the nation.

Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival, celebrated in February, marks the celebration of the annual rice harvests.  This festival is celebrated by the making and consuming of htamane: a kind of sticky rice made with sesame seeds, peanuts, and ginger.

Nationwide Pagoda Festival

This festival, also known as the Shwedagon Pagoda Festival, is celebrated throughout the country in March.  Many people from all over the country make the pilgrimage to Singuttara Hill where the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda is located to celebrate.