KACHIN MANAW FESTIVAL
(Jan 2005 & 2006)
Manaw is a typical Kachin national festival in Kachin State, the northernmost region of Myanmar. The Kachin is a major ethnic group in Myanmar belong to Tibeto-Burman tribe. Frankness, friendliness, hospitality and geneoristy are some of the characteristics of the Kachins. Manaw is the most remarkable event as well as a unique holy tradition in Kachin State. Manaw festival to celebrate the NewYear is the one you should not miss. It is held in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State on/around 10th January every year and it's only for one day.

Every adult can participate the Manaw and you are no exception, of course! Dancing with the rhythmic beat of the ceremonial gong, dressing in their colourful ceremonial attire, moving anti-clockwise in a big circle to the beat of the gong, waving ceremonial sword by men and handkerchief by women, your transient experience with Manaw will remain with you for a long time to come. Come and have a glimpse of the Manaw and the Kachins! Below is the sample itinerary.

Jan 05 Yangon - Myitkyina by flight.
Jan 05 Myitkyina and enjoy the Kachin Manaw festival.
Jan 05 Myitkyina - Indaygyi Lake by car.
Jan 05 Indawgyi Lake and environs for bird watching and elephant trekking.
Jan 05 Indawgyi - Hopin by car and catch the train from Myitkyina to Mandalay.
Jan 05 Mandalay arrival and transfer to hotel. End of service.
( OR ) Fly back to Mandalay to join the Naga New Year Celebration.

KAKKU PAGODA FESTIVAL
(24 Mar 2005/13 March 2006)
Annually in March, on the full moon day of Tabaung (March) which is the last month of the Myanmar lunar calendar, Kakku Pagoda festival takes place. Normally the festival will begin two or three days in advance for this is not just a religious festival but also a social occasion. It is the time for all to have fun, exchange news and gossips, to trade. For the younger set it is the time to meet their friends from other villages or the boys to fall in love with the girls.

As it is, all the people of the region arrive by the thousands, dressed in their traditional costumes. Some come in bullock carts while others arrive by more modern conveyances, on the village tractor.

But the most interesting time to visit this place is to get there before dawn of the full moon day of Tabaung where the Pa O people in all their finery come with gaily decorated trays bearing morning food offerings.

MYANMAR NEW YEAR WATER FESTIVAL
(13 Apr – 17 Apr 2005 or 2006)
The most significant and the most famous Festivals in Myanmar marked by splashing, pouring, and throwing icy water at one another regardless of your color, your religion and your background, is Myanmar New Year Water Festival ( Thingyan ). Thingyan falls on 13th April and ends in 17th April every year. Don't miss this once-a-year chance. During Thingyan, smiles are everywhere.

Fun fairs, modern stage shows and traditional dances in the temporary pandals are throughout the country. All things in Thingyan will always be enchanting, attracting and enjoying to you. It is the best time to come and see typical Myanmar's happy-go-lucky, easy-going, and generous nature. Communal-feedings are omnipresent. Should you be luckier, will the blessing April rain shower on you wiping out all the past sins and channeling you to a smoother, brighter and more beautiful future. Welcome to Thingyan.

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TAUNGPYONE "NAT" FESTIVAL
(17 Aug – 18 Aug 2005) (06 Aug - 07 Aug 2006)
About nine miles north of the Mandalay Hill lies the small Taungpyone village nestling quietly among the green fields. In the village stands a small pagoda bearing testimony to the incidents of yore and to the lives and love of the two young princes of Bagan Era.

The Taungpyone Nat festival is held every year in the Myanmar month of Wagaung (August). The Nat festival reaches the climax on the fourth day when the faithful observe the bathing ritual of the two Nat princes, carried on palanquin followed by the train of procession to the Shwe Ta Chaung stream (the Golden stream) which runs close to the west of the village.

Times change and modern life becomes more and more complex yet the simple faith in these two princes of ancient Bagan Era make the faithful come every year renewed hopes and wishes.
In conclusion, The Taungpyone Nat festival is a must for those who want to study the spirit-worship in Myanmar. We are arranging this as a side trip from Mandalay and if you happen to be in Mandalay around August, we can include in the sightseeing program.
 

PHAUNGDAWOO PAGODA FESTIVAL
(03 Oct – 20 Oct 2005) (22 Sep – 09 Oct 2006)
Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days, usually falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight.

Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event of the festival, especially for foreigners, is their boat race - due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act. This year Phaugdawoo Pagoda festival will begin on 26th September and end on 13th October. 2nd and 6th of October is special recommend for taking photographs.

HOT AIR BALLOONS FESTIVAL
(15 Nov 2005) (04 November 2006)
It is held in commemoration of offering lights to the "Sula Mani Pagoda", built in Tavatimsa (realm of the celestial beings). Jatakas (the Buddha's birth stories) relate that when Prince Theidatta made a great renunciation to become the Buddha, He shed His Hairs and flung them into the sky, there and then the Tagyarmin (King of the celestial beings) took them to enshrine in the Sula Mani Pagoda. To honour this Sula Mani Pagoda, huge fire balloons are floated high above throughout the country.

It is held in Taunggyi, a capital of the southern Shan State. It is said to have been the origin of Pa-o minority. It is celebrated annually on a grand scale for 6 days before the full moon day of Tazaungmone (November). These balloons are released day and night, competing over their beauty, lasting hours and the attitude they can gain.

The exact dates of festival vary from year to year according to the Myanmar lunar calendar. While you are in Inle Lake, you can make one night stop in Taunggyi to watch the celebrations.

ANANDA PAGODA FESTIVAL IN BAGAN
(Jan 2005 & 2006)
Symbolizing the limitless wisdom of Buddha, there is a month long sanctified festival for the temple Ananda, the most beautiful one out of 2000 holy monuments in Bagan, Myanmar. It is usually falls on January every year. The busiest day of the festival is on the full-moon day of the lunar month. Villagers and pilgrims around Bagan roll in the sacred site of Ananda for the consecration.

This is also the best time to see not only the ritual of Buddhists but the festival is also meant for social gathering, reunification, propagation and perpetuation of the religion that is Buddhism. During the festival, walk around in sea of vendors and shops that sell traditional Myanmar food-staff and enjoy the local atmosphere in locality.

SHWEZIGONE PAGODA FESTIVAL IN BAGAN
(October 2005 & 2006)
Built in the mid 11th century, the graceful bell shape of Shwezigon Stupa was a prototype for later stupas of Myanmar. Chronicles describe that the holy tooth, collar-bone and frontlet relics of Buddha are enshrined in the Pagoda. Two great kings are associated with the construction of this massive Pagoda- Anawratha (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113). It was first built by king Anawrahta, although he was able to finish only three terraces before he died. Only in the reign of king Kyansittha the Pagoda was completed in 7 months and 7 days according to the scholars.

Its festival is held annually in Thadingyut (October). It lasts for 23 days during which one can find food stalls, fun-fairs, shops selling local products, dance/ drama/ theatrical shows, magic shows, puppet shows, and so on. Myanmar people-young and old simply love to have a stroll around the place where there is a Pagoda festival.