The Seasonal Festivals of Myanmar

Myanmar is rich with a magnificent history and culture. It is what makes the country famous among other nearby countries. Apart from the wonders and beauty of Myanmar, it is also rich in yearly festivities. Throughout the year, Myanmar celebrates different festivals. Having a list of these celebrations will help you decide when to visit Myanmar and know what festivities to expect in the country in different months.

List of Myanmar Seasonal Festivities :

1. Manaw Festival - The Manaw Festival is celebrated every 29th and 30th of January in the Kachin State. It is the Burmese celebration of the New Year. The festivity is congregated at the Myitkyina with all the Kachin clans, which are the Myanmar hill people. During the Manaw festival, the Kachin tribes wear traditional costumes and dance around the Manaw poles, similar to the totem poles of the North American Indians.

2. Ananda Pagoda Festival - This festivity is celebrated every January, depending on the lunar calendar. The Ananda pagoda festival is a popular celebration in the country. Monks wait in line as they are offered alms such as bowls of crisps. There are also holiday outings and pilgrimages done around the country.

3. Naga New Year Festival - This is celebrated in the Sagai division. It is one of the most exciting and colorful ceremonies in Myanmar. Hundreds of people from different tribes wear their vibrant costumes and perform ritual dances in the streets. You can witness this festival every 12th to 16th of January.

Htamane Festival - The Htamane festival or sticky rice festival is celebrated all over Myanmar during the months of February until March. This celebration is all about the harvest of sticky rice and sesame seeds. The countrymen will cook varieties of sticky rice dishes. The Myanmar sticky rice is found all over Southeast Asia, but it is ritually celebrated in Myanmar and is considered a national holiday.

4. Mahamuni Pagoda Festival - This is another Myanmar festival celebrated during the month of February. During this festival, there are contests held on the pagoda platform. There is also a variety of incense sticks burned as an offering to the country's Buddha image. All these are held during a full moon.

5. Shwedagon Pagoda Festival - The Shwedagon festival is a customary Buddhist pagoda festival. It is one of the most important festivities of pagoda in Myanmar, and is celebrated every 21st of March.

6. Kakku Pagoda Festival - Every March or Tabaung of the year, on a full moon, Myanmar celebrates the Kakku Pagoda Festival. March is the last month of the Myanmar lunar calendar. It is a three-day festivity of fun, gossips and trade for the older locals. Young people spend time with their friends and is also a time for them to fall in love. Thousands of people dress in colorful traditional costumes as they give offerings before the dawn of the full moon.

7. Mann Shwe Settaw Pagoda Festival - This is one of the largest pagoda festivals in the Upper region of Myanmar. The Mann Shwe Sattaw is found on the river ridge of Ayeyawaddy in Magwe. This is celebrated in the Magway division every 8th day of April.

8.nWater Festival - This is the most popular and vibrant celebration in Myanmar. All the people of Myanmar will abandon work during this day and stand still. They will all gather in the different pagodas of the country and give offerings to the monks while they play traditional games and joyfully celebrate in spirit. This occasion is done every 12th to 17th day of April.

9. Taung Byone Festival (Nat Pwe) - During the month of August, the Myanmar people celebrate the Taung byone festival where they commemorate the spirits. This celebration is derived from the Hindu Natta, who is their lord and savior.

10. Yadana Gu Festival - Celebrated every 24th to 30th of August, the Yadana Gu festival is the most pleasurable occasion as people row boats in honor of Mt. Popa.

11. Hot Air balloon Festival - This is a very exciting celebration in Myanmar. Every 6th to 12th of November, people gather in Southern Shan State to present their unique and colorful hot air balloons. It is something to look forward to when you pay a visit to Myanmar in November.

These are all the seasonal Myanmar feasts. So what month are you going to visit this vibrant and lively country?

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