Main Festivals in Myanmar : Myanmar is known as the Land of Festivals because Myanmar people celebrate at least one festival in every month. There are religious and culture festivals, nation-wide special day celebrations (e.g. Independence Day, National day, etc.). The followings are some of the most magnificent festivals in Myanmar.
Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan) : Ananda Pagoda festival is held in Pyatho, the tenth month in Myanmar calendar during cool season (December-January) and it is one of the most popular pagoda festivals in the country. Group of villagers from surrounding villages come to this Pagoda festival with bullock-carts to came in the pagoda compound. It is worth for visitors to see the customs of villagers as well as the sale fair selling various kind of local product. The most attractive products are the toys which are made from clay or of papers (owl, white horse, etc.), sort of containers made from bamboo, brooms and brass balance. Evening entertainments are such as Zat Pwe: a variety of dance, song, circus and short and long plays; and Anyeints: a few hours lasting performance of jokers together with traditional lady dancers.
Naga New Year Festival (Leshi, Sagaing Division, North-west of Myanmar) : The Naga are one of Myanmar national races who live in the upper Sagaing division, north-west of Myanmar, towards the Indian boarder. Their New Year festival is celebrated in the second week of January and lasts for two days. Nagas come from surrounding areas to participate in their traditional costumes. On the morning of the first day is the opening of the Naga traditional field with the erection of the Naga Pole. In the evening visitors can enjoy a stage show of the Naga Youth Association. On the second day, the opening ceremony of the Naga New Year Festival is held with a presentation of Naga History and performing of Naga traditional dances. In the afternoon visitors can enjoy the performance of Naga Pan (playing of the traditional Drum) and Naga sporting competitions. The evening is celebrated with large bonfires and for dinner the Naga serve wild boar and drunken bison meat to a lot of rice wine. The place where the festival held is a little bit far from the regular tourist sights in the country, it takes four to five days to complete a festival package. It had been celebrated for three years and visitors become more and more interested.
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon) : Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is always held on fullmoon day of Tabaung, the twelfth and last month of Myanmar calendar and usually falls into March. Local food and products are sold in many stalls, which are set up at the foot of Theingoattaya hill. It is worth while for visitors to see how Myanmar people participate in religious festivals and how they enjoy their holiday.
Pindaya Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Southern Shan State) : Pindaya Shwe Oo Min cave Pagoda festival is held on and around fullmoon day of Tabaung as well. It starts seven days before the full moon day. During the festival time, thousands of devotees come from villages around the area to the cave. A kind of pagoda mall is set up at the foot of the hill under big shady Banyan trees to sell local products.
Kakku Pagoda Festival (Kakku Pagoda, Southern Shan State) : Kakku Pagoda festival is also held on fullmoon day of Tabaung. Pa-O people from all the surrounding villages come in their best costumes to pay homage to the pagoda. Similar to other Myanmar pagoda festivals some come in bullock carts and camp under the huge banyan trees.
