Ananda Pagoda Festival

Where : Ananda Temple in Bagan, Mandalay Division
When : 9 Jan – 21 Feb
Event : Ananda Pagoda is the surviving masterpiece of Mon architecture, completed in 1091 built by Bagan's second great king Kyansittha. It has four 9.5 meters teak Buddhas representing four Buddhas of this world-cycle. The festival with the last two days being the most important. You will see popular sales fair around the pagoda with many stalls selling various local products and a caravan of bullock-carts camp under the shady trees. In the evening you will be entertained by beautiful Myanmar traditional performances.

Htamane Festival

Where: throughout the whole country

When: February and March

It is made of sticky rice and sesame seeds. One large pan requires 4 small baskets of sticky rice, 20 coconuts, one small basket each of peanut and sesame seeds, 4 kilo of oil, 0.32 kilo of ginger and some salt.Making of Htamane is not very easy. First the sticky rice must be soaked over night. The next day, start frying the small pieces of coconuts and other ingredients. Then pour in the soaked sticky rice into the pan. Now, we need two strong men to do the stirring of the rice until it is cooked. After preparing Htamane, it is then offered to the Buddha and is given away for free to all the visitors to the pagodas.

Shwedagon Pagoda Festival

Where:Yangon

When: March

The festival of the Shwedagon Pagoda is celebrated on the fullmoon day of Tabaung (March) every year. This is the eand mark of Myanmar, vistible from all directions. It situates on the hill of seinguttra and therefore it lore the original name of Seinguttra Ceti.
It was built by King Utkalapa enshrinijg the sacred hair relies of the sord Buddha in this life time, brought by the two young trader brothers Tapuss a and Balirea who went to Buddha gaya to trade and came to see the sord Buddha in his early days of Enlightenment. It is the most beautiful and magnificent structure in the world. It is a touring spire of Shimmering gold. The original stupa was only 66 feet, and now becomes 326 feet after many renovations by successive ruears of Myanmar.

Mann Shwe Sattaw Pagoda Festival

Where: Magway Division, Mandalay

When: April

Mann Shwe Sattaw Pagoda Festival is one of the most significant Pagoda festival in Upper Myanmar. It is 36 miles from Magwe to the Mann Shwe Sattaw which is also well known as Mann footprint across Ayeyawaddy river bridge, Magwe. And people from the entire nation pay Pilgrimage to the Pagoda but the Pagoda is mostly crowded within the festival time which is from the mid February to mid April. To enjoy Mann Shwe Sattaw Pagoda festival, if you come from lower Myanmar, please take the Yangon-Pyay motor road and go along Pathein-Monywa road after passing Nawadae Bridge.At Mann Shwe Sattaw Pagoda, you will find the upper Sattawyar, the footprint of lord Buddha on the hill and the lower Sattawyar, another footprint of the Buddha at the foot of the same hill.
 

Thingyan Festival(Water Festival)

Where: the whole country

When:13th Apr-17th Apr

Tagu is the first month of the Myanmar calendar and usually it falls in March and April on the Gregorian calendar. “Thingyan”- Myanmar New Year Festival is held in Tagu, generally it falls about 13th April or environs. Thingyan was held since the Tagaung Period but it became more prominent in the Era of Bagan Dynasty. As water symbolizes coolness , clearness and cleansing of dirt and grime, by pouring or throwing water on one another is regarded that cleanness one and all of the dirt and grime of the old year and bring coolness and pacify the minds of the people for the new year. The most significant characteristics about Tagu is a merry making festival not only for Myanmar but also for any person who also wish to take part can enjoy the happiness just like Myanmar . Another aspect in connection with Tagu is commencing from the olden days up to the present time is during this period old and aged persons hair were washed and manicured with typical Myanmar shampoo called “Tayaw” (acacia).

Bo-Tree Watering Festival

Where : All over the country
When : 19 May
Event : Since this day was not only the birthday of Buddha but also attained Buddha hood while sitting in meditation under a Bo Tree and attained Nivana at the age of 80 years., full moon day of Kason in one of the holiest day of the years for the Buddhist. And this month is the holiest month in Myanmar. That's the reason for Buddhists pouring water on the Bo tree. Women from the neighborhood carry small pots on the heads and go to Bo tree in procession to pour water. Men accompany with them playing traditional musical instruments.

Mahamuni Waso Festival (Chin Lone Competition)

Where : Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay, Mandalay Division
When : 17 July
Event : Cane Ball or Chin Lone is a popular traditional sport played all over the country. The most famous Chin Lone competitions are held in the magnificent Mandalay, where cane ball players from all over the country come together for the big event. You can enjoy several Chin Lone performances and exciting tournaments by either team or individual while local music played to entertain the audience.

Taung Byone Nat Festival

Where : Taung Byone, Mandalay Division
When : 9 Aug – 16 Aug
Event : The most crowed Nat (spirit) festival in Myanmar. People all over the country come and worship the Nat. the festival of Taung Byone in a very peculiar and particular festival that although Myanmar Buddhists are not actually spirits worshippers, thousands of country folks and townspeople alike flock to this yearly festival of "Nats" near Mandalay to participate in its joyous, light-hearted merrymaking. The small Taung Byone Hill and surrounding areas had been "awarded" to the "Nats" as a special province of their own by Myanmar Kings since the Bagan Dynasty in the 11th century. Once a year, festivals are held to honor these "Nats" – Taung Byone Brother Nats (Ko Daw Gyi & Ko Daw Lay).
 

Paungdawoo Pagoda Festival

Where : Inle Lake, Shan State
When : 30 Sept – 16 Oct
Event : One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small Buddha images, which are much revered by the lake-dwellers. Four Buddha statues from Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda are tugging clockwise around Inle Lake on a royal barge by the demonstration on led rowed boats. The event leg-rowed boat races are being held through out. So many of other vessels travel in the entourage in a general celebratory atmosphere. Thousand of people from around the Shan State attend this most holy of Shan celebrations.

Full Moon Day of Thadingut

Where : All over the country
When : 13 Oct – 15 Oct
Event : Thidingyut is the seventh month of Myanmar lunar calendar and the end of lent. It is a three-day light festival, the day before full moon day, the full moon day and the day after full moon day. People light up their homes with decorative lights to welcome back Buddha by lighting the way for him who came down from the Celestial Abode after spending 3 months of the Buddhist lent there preaching Abidhamma. Even government buildings are beautiful lighted up on this Full Moon Day of Thidingyut.

Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival

Where : Kyaunse, 26 miles south of Mandalay
When : 15 Oct
Event : Kyauk-Se is a thriving town which is located on the Yangon-Mandalay highway, where Light Festival and Elephant Dancing Festival are held in the month of Thadingyut (the seventh month of Myanmar Lunar calendar). Two men have to get inside the life-size hollowed-out paper made elephants and imitate the movement of a real elephant. A lead man coordinates the movement of the dancers and he is assisted by a small group of musicians. The entire town participates in this competition, not only for the best elephant, but also for the best decorated elephant effigy. People from the surrounding areas, some as far as away as Mandalay, participate in this festival.

Kahtein Thingan Offering Festival

Where: the whole country

When: November

Kahtein Festival is held annually, after the duration between the Full Moon Day of Thadingyut and the Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone. The Kahtein robe offering and donation of Kahtein tree or the Padaytharpin are also another famous act in Myanmar.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

Where : Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State
When : 10 Nov – 12 Nov 2008
Event : On this special occasion, people enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework-launching competitions. The firework is in the form of rockets. There is also hot balloons competitions on the day and night occasions. Balloon sending up are made of bamboo and paper. There are many variety kinds of shape, some are huge with fire crackers and some are of the shape of animals. Balloon sending up competition is also held during the festival.

Kayin New Year Festival

Where : Kayin Division

When: December

Kayin New Year day is a National Public Holiday in Myanmar. Traditional Kayin costume was worn by most of the celebrants at the events. Many young and old Kayins wear their traditional colourful dresses and go around the city, visit relatives and enjoy the festival. In Hpa An, the capital city of Kayin State, dance competitions are held every year.