Exuberant Myanmar
The new year will be ushered in during the Thingyan festival and the subsequent Water Festival. The first day starts with religious rituals, but in the evening the feast erupts. Music, singing and dance, this is exuberant Myanmar! The next few days is the big water festival. Originally intended to ritually wash away sins, nowadays it is permissible to throw and spray water in all kinds of ways. Think of it as an advantage: this party takes place in April, the hottest time of the year. You will experience the water ballet as refreshing. Bring water bombs and bottles of water, and let go!
The Tazaungdaing festival or Festival of Light takes place in November, when the moon is full. This festival celebrates the introduction of Buddhism in what was then Burma. Monks are given new robes, in the streets you are surrounded by people with lotus-shaped lanterns. The highlight is the moment when hundreds of mini hot air balloons are left with bamboo and paper. Each balloon carries a burning candle, the lights rise and fade into the night. Fairy, a silent dance of light.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagode festival or Inlemeer festival lasts no less than 18 days, and takes place in September or October. A huge, richly decorated boat is pulled by dozens of leg rowers, standing on a long dinghy. Four golden Buddha statues from the pagoda make a trip past the villages of Lake Inle. The procession is followed by numerous boats, and on the banks folkloric festivals with dance and music are going on. In Nyaung Shwe the Buddha statues are met by pilgrims from all over the region, it is the climax of this religious festival. For spectators, especially the boat race of the leg rowers is spectacular!