Myanmar Tour Operator

Seasonal Festival

12 Months Festivals

Myanmar Months related to English Calendar

Tagu - April
Kason - May
Nayon - June
Waso - July
Wakaung - August
Tawtalin -September
Tadingyut - October
Tasonmon - November
Nataw - December
Pyatho - January
Tabotwe - February
Tabaung - March

Water Festival (Tagu)

The biggest festival in Myanmar is the water festival, called Thingyun, held in the second week of April, the local month of Tagu. According to the Myanmar calendar, Thingyan is the period of transition from the old to New Year, and to welcome in the New Year people cheerfully douse each other with water. Teasing, playing and joking are all part of the spirit of the season. But Thingyan is not all play; it also has a serious religious element. According to folklore, Thagyamin , the king of celestiais comes to earth at this time in human form to check whether people are living and practicing Buddhist ways. So it is the time to do good deeds and make up for all the neglect and omissions one might be guilty of, and to resolve to do better during the coming year. People fast, give alms and do good deeds. The monastries and pagodas teem with people of all ages, most of them there to do good deeds. Young people sweep the grounds, wash building and help to cooking for the monks.Some people offer snacks free to sightseers. The all encompassing Thingyan goodwill and loving-kindness is an auspicious way to start the New Year.

Pouring Water in Bayan Trees (Kason)

The Myanmar New Year begins dousing by water and during Kason or May, the second month of the year , and water is once again poured, but this time on the sacred Bhodhi tree,the tree of enlightenment. The ceremony of pouring of water at the base of the Bhodhi (Banyan) tree is called Kason Naung Ye Thun Pwe, and it is held on the full moon day of Kason. This day of Kason is a three-fold annivesary: the birth of Siddatha, the Buddha to be, His attainment of Enlightenment at the Bhodhi tree, and the passing of Buddha into Nibbana.

Most buddhists cannot visit Lumbini, Mingadavon and Kusinara, but they can make a dedication to the Mahabodhi by concentrating on the Bo tree in their native place.

Kason is a very hot month in which water becomes scarce, so people repay their gratitude to the Buddha and pay homage to him by pouring water on the foot of the tree under he affained enlightenment. Men and women of all ages go to local pagodas in processions to pour water on the scared trees.

Young women carry water pots on their heads. The red earthen pots topped with green banana leaves create a picturesque effect, especially with flower-bedecked chingnons decorating the women. The procession is, as usual attended by music troupes and dancers.

Exam- Sarphyanpwe (Nayon )

Nayon (June), is the third month of the Myanmar calendar, and it's a very hot month with the beginnings of thr rains which will fall heavily in the coming monsoon. One Myanmar saying goes, "Tagu - Kason: hopping mad, " and another says "Nayon small rain the birth of grass." When the rain begins to drizzle, the (Myatley) plants begin blooming.

During Nayon scriptural examinations for monks and nuns ( Sar - pyan - pwe) are held, a tradition dating back to the time of the Myanmar kings.

Lay people, mindful of the service of the monks and their life-long dedication to the study of Buddha's teachings, do their best to supply the comforts and amenities of the candidates. Apart from written examinations the candidates have to recite all the scriptures by rote. It is a tremendous undertaking to commit to memory all the Buddha's discourses, known as Three Baskets of Learning ( Tri - pi - ta - ka)

Most monks pass the recitation tests and are showered with honours and gifts. The Full Moon Day of Nayon is religiously commemorated as the Maha Thamaya Day.

During Gautama Buddha's time a dispute broke out between Koliya and Kapilavattu about sharing scarce water resources. When they were ready to battle, theBuddha arrived, and preached so they would end their quarrel. Both sides compromised, and members of both sides entered the Buddha's Sanana and were ordained. Humans and celestials who admired Buddha and the monks arrived and Buddha delivered that one who recites the Maha Thamaya (Samaya) Sutta. It is believed that one who recites the Maha Thamaya Sutta is liked by the celestials, and gains riches and promotion in service. Nayon is the month when the new academic year starts and hence it is a month connected with learning.

Robe Offering to Monks (Waso)

Waso (july) the fourth month of Myanmar calendar, is a special month for Buddhists. It is the month in which the Gautama Buddha was conceived in his mother's womb, the month of Buddha's renunciation of the worldly matters, and the preaching of his first sermon.

The month also marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. It is a time for sobriety, self-denial and religious contemplation. Buddhist monks enter into monsoon retreat and they have to reside at one place for three months from the Full Moon day of Waso to the Full Moon day of Thadingyut (October). Residing in one monastery is called Waso or Wah-kutt.

In order that the monks have the necessary amenities during the lent, laypeople offer monastic robes, food and other necessities. Volunteer service groups offfer "Soon" (rice and curry) to the monks from their local areas.

The Full Moon Day of Waso is called Dhamma Cakka Day because Buddha delivered the very first serman to five disciples on this day 25 centuries ago. He expounded the Four Woble Truths, namely, Suffering, the orgin of Suffering, Cessation of Suffering, and the Path that leads to Cessation of Suffering. Hence, on this full moon day organizations and individual families offer robes and soon to the monks. Many people go to pagoda for worship, and to monastries for Sabbath.

Lot - Drawn Offering to Sanga (Wahgaung)

There is a saying that " Waso-Wahgaung, the rivers swell with rising billows". This saying refers to the fact that wahgaung (August) is the month of heavy rain, and a busy month for paddy growers. Fields are ploughed and paddy is transplanted.The countryside is covered with fresh green paddy plants, as if an emerald caepet has been laid out across Myanmar.

Wahgaung is a month for alms giving by casting lots. Communal groups solicit donors to prepare alms bowls, one or more each, depending on the means and will of the donor. Each bowl filled with a portion of rice meal with curry and accompaniments like sweets and fruits. Monks (Sangha) are invited to receive the bowls and lots are cast. This ceremony is called Sah-Ye-Dan-Pwe.

Boat Race (Tawthalin)

In Tawthalin (September) the monsoon is thinning away and the skies are clearing. " The month of Tawthalin: rain softly patting, the mighty river rolls out like matting ," goes the saying.

It is the month for boat racing. Regattas of the olden days were held under royal patronage, and boat songs were composed especially for the occasion. The boatmen wore varied-coloured livery matching the banners of their boats. The traditional boat races displayed not only speed but also skill and grace.

Boat racing is complex and there are 37 styles of rowing on record.Strokes named ' seagull-sweep' and 'seagull-soar' create pictures of racing boats sweeping and soaring over the river's surface.

Boat races are held in Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) in Yangon under the patronage of the Government. Teams from states and division`and from government ministries participate in the races.

Another attraction during this month is the boat racing by one-legged rowers of Inlay Lake.

Festival of Lights (Thandingyut)

Thandikyut (October), the seventh month of Myanmar calendar, marks the end of Buddhist Lent. The monsoon is on the way out and the skies are clearing. Festival of lights is held for three days including the day before fullmoon, full moon day and the day after. Music and dancing feature during these days and the lights are provided to celebrate the annivesary of the Buddha's return from the celestial abode where he spent Lent teaching the celestials about His Law. It was on the full moon day of Thidingyut that Buddha descended to the abode of humans. He and His Disciples were atteneded by a host of celestials that created a pathway of stars. People on earth illuminated the homes and streets to welcome Buddha and His Disciples.

Lights and Kahtein Offerings (Tazaungmone)

Tazaungmone (November) is a month full of festivities, starting off with a three-day light festival similar to Thadingyut on the full moon day period of Tazaungmone. The Tazaungdine Festival started as a folk celebration in pre- Buddhist times and originally there was no religious component in the festival.

The festival is a devotional offering to Kyattika, the third lunar mansion, and lights are offered to the fire god. But now there is a strong Buddhist element to the festival with the inclusion of the Kahtein (Kathina) ceremony, in which special robes and other gifts are offered to the monks. A Kahtein offering is considered as one of the most meritorious deeds. Another ceremony held on the full moon day of Tazaungmone is the weaving of robes (Matho - Thingan) . The robes are woven within the space of the night and offered to the Buddha image by dawn.

Sarsodaw Pwe (Nattaw)

Nattaw (December) is the month in which Literati Day (Sarsodaw Day) was held. The first waxing day of Nattaw is designated as the Sarsodaw Day, and commemorative ceremonies are held in many townships around the country . Public lectures, essay contests, and story-telling contests are held, and ceremonies are held to pay homage to the aged literati.

The National Literary Award Presentation Ceremony is held on Sarsodaw Day by the government. Prizes are awarded to the best books from different genres selected from books published in the previous year.

Equestrian Festival (Pyatho)

Pyatho (January) is the main month in cold season. The sky is clear of clouds and mist, and Khwar Nyo or clematis, a creeper with small fragrant flowers, blooms in Pyatho.

The festive season ushered in by Thandingyut is in full swing. During the era of the Myanmar kings, Myinn-Khinn - Thabin or the Equestrian Festival was held. The four elements of war, namely, chariot, infantry, cavalry and elephant troops were turned out in full colour and splendour. Horse racing, polo matches, war dances featuring swords, spears and shields took place to the accompaniment of boisterous music. The festival was also a test of the level of equestrian training and skills. The king and the queen themselves bestowed prizes to the outstanding contestants. This magnificent display is no longer held but descriptions of the old military displays and martial sports can be found in books.

Hta-Ma- Ne Feast of Tabodwe

Come Tabodwe (Februray), the eleventh month of Myanmar calendar, Myanmar celebrates its harvest festival. All the products of the farm and garden are made into Htamane, a concoction of glutinous rice, coconut slices, sessamum seeds, peanuts and a generous amount of cooking oil. The Htamane feast is either celebrated communally or in a circle of family and friends. The nature of the feast is such that it needs a lot of helping hands, and there is no dearth of volunteers. After the Htmane is made it is taken to the pagodas and monastries to be offered to the Buddha images and to the Sanghas. The rest is divided and shared amongst those who contributed labour, and friends in the community. Working collectively and sharing food together is a proud custom of the Myanmar people.

Pagoda Festival of Ta-Baung

The last month of Myanmar calendar falls in March. The days are becoming warm and the nights are cool and pleasant. Numerous seasonal flowers such as inginn theraphi and gangaw bloom in Tabaung.

It is a month of pagoda festivals. The harvest is safely home and people can look forward to leisurely days enjoyment. The building of sand pagodas marks the Tabaung Festival . Not content with having festivals in honour of the existing local pagodas, people have to build pagodas of their own, even if they are ephemeral creations built of sand. The festival of sand stupas is communal, with every one, young and old, participating.

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