Festivals in Myanmar

The Ananda Temple, located in Bagan, Myanmar is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign (1084–1113) of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian style of architecture. The impressive temple has also been titled the “Westminster Abbey of Burma”.^[1][2][3][4] The temple has close similarity to the Pathothamya temple of the 10th–11th century, and is also known as “veritable museum of stones.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival is one of the famous pagoda festivals around Yangon. There are some activities in this festival such as Stage Show and Movies shown in the open air the whole night every day. The famous entertainment is Zat (a variety of dance, song and short and long plays), Anyient (a performance takes few hours with traditional Myanmar dance and some comedian).

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Shwe Set Taw (The Golden Footprints) pagoda is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. Actually there are two pagodas: the Auk Set Taw Ya or the Lower and the Ahtet Set Taw Ya, the Upper. The pagoda history tells us that in the 12th year after Lord Buddha attained his Enlightenment He came to this area with a retinue of 500 followers. At that time the present Mann Chaung (Mann Creek) was known as Namada and here lived a Dragon King. Once this Dragon King invited Lord Buddha to his realm for worship and at the request of this Dragon King, Lord Buddha left an imprint of His feet on the banks of the present Mann Chaung. This day this place is known as Auk Set Taw Ya(Lower Golden Footprint).

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Source: wikimapia.org

Htamanè, also spelt htamane is a glutinous rice-based savory snack, and a seasonal festive delicacy in Myanmar. The traditional delicacy is ceremonially prepared around and on the full moon day of Tabodwe, the 11th lunar month on the traditional Burmese calendar (roughly in February), just as the cool season ends. Some pagodas and monasteries, including the Shwedagon Pagoda, hold htamane-making competitions.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

The Mahamuni Buddha Temple; also called the Mahamuni Pagoda) is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar). The Mahamuni Buddha image (literal meaning: The Great Sage) is deified in this temple, and originally came from Arakan. It is highly venerated in Burma and central to many people’s lives, as it is seen as an expression of representing the Buddha’s life.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Min Kyawzwa also known as U Min Gyaw and Ko Gyi Kyaw, is one of the 37 nats in the official pantheon of Burmese nats. He is a composite representation of multiple historical personalities. One version puts him as a son of King Theinhko of Pagan; he was murdered by his brother. Another version puts him as an adviser to King Alaungsithu of Pagan; he died an alcoholic. Another puts him as Crown Prince Minyekyawswa of Ava, who fell in action in the Forty Years’ War. Yet another version puts him as a son of the Lord of Pyay and Kuni Devi. He reportedly was a “drunkard and cock fighter and also a good rider”, killed by his victims turned devils.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

It lies on the sandbank named Linlon about 1,500 feet from the west bank of Indawgyi in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. In the 1 lth century, Sayadaw U Nyi Hsu of Taung Thonlone in Indawgyi set out from Hpa Nan Mon areas with dis¬ciples endowed with sila, samadhi, metta and Kammathana, conveying the three stones. When they got to the venue of the pagoda he set up his staff on the sandbank and strengthened its position with the three stones. As instructed by U Nyi Hsu, Sayadaw U Thawbita laid the foundation of the pagoda on 1230 new year day. Then, five relics were obtained from the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on 13th waxing moon day of Kason (22-4-1869) and conveyed on the boat in a gold casket to be enshrined there on the platform. The pagoda was completed on the 6th waxing moon day of Kason. The height was over 15 feet. Further renovations brought the height to 50 feet with a base about 39 feet 10 inches.

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Source: http://myanmartravelinformation.com

The Bawgyo Pagoda, in Thibaw also known as Hsipaw is a very Shan-style Paya from the 12th century The legend has it that the king of celestial gave King Nara-Pati-sithu 1174-1211 A D of the Pagan Dynasty a piece of wood, out of which he made four Buddha images Hsipaw Shan state Burma Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

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The Pindaya Caves officially, located next to the town of Pindaya, Shan State, Burma (Myanmar) are a Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction located on a limestone ridge in the Myelat region. There are three caves on the ridge which runs north-south, but only the southern cave can be entered and explored. It is not known whether the other two penetrate for any extended distance into the hillside.

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

The Shwe Daung Pagoda or the “Golden Hill Pagoda” is also believed to have been built by King Minbin between the years 1531-1553. It is a landmark pagoda as it is the tallest in this area and can be seen as far away as 20 miles from the main Kaladan River. The hill itself is 250 feet high and is about half a mile to the south-east of the Palace Site.

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Source: http://myanmartravelinformation.com