Wagaung Maha Dok Festival : Wagaung (August) is the month for what is called Maha Dok festival, believed to be named after a very poor man who became rich over-night for his offerings to ‘Kas-sapa Buddha’. According to tradition and custom, communal groups solicit donors to prepare alms-bowls, one or more each, depending on the means and will of the donor. Each bowl is filled with some rice meal with a curry and dessert like sweets and fruits. Monks are invited to receive the bowls and lots are drawn. Each donor is in turn given a number of each bowl and lots are drawn again for the winning number. The lucky donor often receives a sum of money. Overjoyed with his luck; he believes that he is given another opportunity to do good deeds of merit.
Taungpyone Nats or Spirits Festival: The festival of Taungpyone is a very peculiar and particular festival that although Myanmar Buddhists are not actually spirit worshippers, thousands of country folks and townspeople alike flock to this yearly festival of ‘Nats’ (Spirit Gods) near Mandalay to participate in its joyous, light- hearted merrymaking.
The small Taungpyone 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 honour these ‘Nats’.
Myanmar’s New Year is in April. It is also the time to celebrate the most famous and active festival in Myanmar. What is the name of this particular festival?
Water Festival: The Water Festival, or Thingyan, is celebrated in Myanmar. It is a time of celebration where people sprinkle and splash water as a symbol of washing away sins and bad luck from the previous year. It is also celebrated in Thailand.
September 2013
Tawthalin Boat Races : ‘’Tawihalin” (September) is the sixth month on Myanmar calendar and it is the time for Royal Regatta Festivals which is being revived by the state with the holding of festivals of pageantry and boat races. September is the month when boat races are held in practically every pond, river and lake throughout the country.
Buddha’s Tooth Relic Festival also known as Phaung Daw Pagoda Festival: Buddhist devotees from all over the country come to Paung-de (Buddha’s Tooth Relic Festival), 130 miles north of Yangon, to worship this sacred relic brought out once a year (in September) from its vaults. It is taken around the town on an elephant in a procession.