|
|
Festival of Lights (Thadingyut)
|
|
|
(Countrywide) |
Myanmar traditional weddings |
|
Thadingyut is a seven-month of Burmese calendar and the end
of lent. Three days of lights festival, namely the day
before full moon, the full moon day and the days after.
Illuminations are there to celebrate the anniversary of
Buddha's return from the celestial abode where He had spent
the lent teaching the celestials about His Law. Among the
gods was the one who was the mother of Buddha, reborn there.
It was on the full moon day of Thadingyut month that Buddha
descended to the abode of humans. He and His disciples were
attended by a heavenly host of celestials who created a
pathway of star ladder. Buddhist on earth illuminated the
homes and streets to welcome Buddha and His disciples. |
Marriages are usually tabooed during the Buddhist lent,
perhaps this customs is a bit conservative, but weddings
during the lent are really rare. It is more fun to begin
one's married life amidst festivities. Thadingyut,
therefore, is not only replete with festivities, but also an
auspicious Myanma custom of remembering gratitude.
Paying Homage to elders
Younger people pay homage to elders during this season. They
ask for forgiveness if they have committed any and in
return, the elders give them back love and forgiveness.
|
|
History of Thadingyut |
|
Myanmar is rich in culture, and has developed its own
distinctive culture. Buddhism has great influence on the
daily lives of Myanmar people.
The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut is the Lighting Festival of
Myanmar. The festival is held at the end of the lent on the
festival day it as a custom. It celebrates the descent of
Buddha from heaven after he preached the Abidhama (the most
difficult of Buddhist teaching) to his mother reborn in
heaven.
Why do people light up?
When Lord Buddha descended from heaven after preaching his
reborn mother, people all over the country light candles to
welcome back. As years passed by, it became a tradition and
a festival.
The festival in a small town and villages are more enjoyable
than in cities. In small towns, there are small earthen
saucers filled with sesame oil where pieces of cotton are
used as wicks. People collect donations for charity,
decoration and entertainment purposes. Roads and streets are
full with amateur dancing groups, music troupes, stalls and
spectators for free entertainment.
On the festival day, groups of young people and children can
be seen walking with candles and gifts in their hands to pay
respect elders. In Burmese we call Kadaw, actually it is
more than paying respects or doing obeisance. For the
Buddhist, the Buddha, His law, His Order of the Sangha,
Parents and Teachers are the first to be reserved, next come
those who are older and those to whom we owe gratitude.
|
|
|
|
|
(Mandalay Division) |
|
 Dancing Elephant Festival is also another famous festival in
Myanmar. It is held in Kyaukse, near Mandalay. It is a
marvelous performance of two men together to dance in
rhythm. A huge elephant figure is made from bamboo and
paper. Men take their places inside the figure and dance
around the town to the accompaniment of Dobat and Drums. The
elephant dancers circles three times at the foot of the hill
to pay homage to the Shwe Tha Lyaung Pagoda. It is a dance
that requires precise rhythm and timing in order for the
elephant dancers to maintain unity inside the elephant
figure. People from far and near come to visit Kyaukse and
watch the elephant dance.
|
|
|
|
|
(Mon State) |
|
 The famous legendary Pagoda on the Golden Rock about 160 Km
from Yangon and 11 km of hiking from the base camp at
Kyaikhto. Visitors can also go by car up to a point about a
mile away from the Pagoda. This pagoda is situated on a
rocky mountain 3615 ft above sea level. The Kyaikhtiyo
pagoda is one of the most ancient and celebrated of all
pagodas in Myanmar. It is situated in the vicinity of
Kyaikhto township, Thaton district. The pagoda is said to
have been built during the life-time of the Buddha over 2400
years ago.
The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival is a special festival of
lights celebration. On the Full Moon Day of Thadingyut,
locals offer the lighting of 9000 candles and 9000 flowers
to the Biuddha. On the next morning, rice, sweets and other
snacks are offered. The platform and passage of the pagoda
are usually filled with visitors from all over the country.
Tourists also find the golden rock pagoda magnificent.
Thadingyut usually falls in October, depending on the lunar
calendar. At such a time, the weather is cold up on the
mountain.
During the festival time most of the local places and hotels
around the pagoda are fully booked. Some people travel to
the base of the mountain by car, and then hike up the
mountain on foot. Some people climb the mountain by ferry
buses. Some hike up with carriers.
|
|
