In 1861, 11th year of the reign of Qing Emperor Xianfeng, the Hokkien community in Rangoon (today’s Yangon) founded the Kheng Hock Keong. Members of the Hokkien community as well as Chinese Shipping companies in Rangoon contributed funds for the Mazu temple construction located in the Yangon Chinatown. Located on the corner of Sint-oh-dann Street and Strand Road in Latha Township, Yangon (Rangoon), Burma (Myanmar), Kheng Hock Keong is the largest and oldest Chinese Buddhist and Taoist temple dedicated to the Chinese goddess Mazu in Yangon. It was originally built as a wooden temple in 1861 and completed in 1863. A new brick building was completed in 1903, costing over 153,000 rupees. Today, Kheng Hock Keong Temple is one of the very popular tourist spots in Rangoon.

Dedication & Worshiping

The temple was dedicated to Mazu, the Sea goddess and the temple name Kheng Hock Keong (Temple in celebration of prosperity / fortune) was chosen in appreciation to Mazu for her blessings during their sea voyages as well as for their prosperity and fortune in Burma. The Hokkien community’s clan association, The Fukienese Association is also located in the temple.

The Layout

The front court of the Kheng Hock Keong has an air well with corridors surrounding it leading to the main hall where the main deities are enshrined in altars. Mazu, the main deity is enshrined in the central altar. To her left is Guan Gong and to her right is Bao Sheng Da Di, the God of medicine. This layout was similar to an earlier Mazu temple, Thian Hock Keng, built by the Singapore Hokkien Chinese in 1840. During subsequent restorations, a Guan Yin sculpture was added to the main shrine just behind Mazu.

Celebrations

Kheng Hock Keong is the main site of celebration for major festivals such as Chinese New Year, Mid Autumn, as well as religious events such as birthday celebration of various deities. These events attract large crowds who arrive to participate in celebrations or to give their thanks. Throughout the year, the temple courtyard is a popular place for senior citizen to chat or to indulge in a game of chess with their friends.

Contribution to the Community

As a temple and a clan association, the Kheng Hock Keong continues with its historical mission to serve the community. They have established a free clinic near the temple and have a social welfare program for elderly citizens. Not forgetting the younger generation, the temple has also establish free mandarin classes for young Chinese Burmese.

Kheng Hock Keng also supports Burmese social endeavors such as contributing funds for the construction of Burmese temples. An example is their financial support for the construction of Sule Pagoda, a Burmese Theravada Monastery complex, where the hair relic of the Buddha is enshrined.

These activities reflected the spirit of earlier generations when they founded Kheng Hock Keong. While they rejoice in their blessings and good fortune, they have not forgotten to share that blessing with the larger society. The various projects today reflect that spirit of contributing back to society.

150th Year Anniversary

2011, with the celebration of Quan Yin’s birthday, Kheng Hock Keong Temple celebrated its 150th Anniversary celebration. 3 days celebration from 11-11-11 to 13-11-14 calls for all the religious Chinese throughout Yangon. People assemble and paid homages on this special occasion.

Sources: Wikipedia, Chinatownology.

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It is auspicious birthday of Quan Yin, even the blue sky pay homage to her! These high-rise table setting is the way Chinese people pay homage to Tian Gong (the God of Sky) on any kind of occasion…

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In Chinese traditions & customs, Red is Auspiciousness. Our people prefer red candles in such occasions…

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Some prayers are very particular. They have different kinds of prayer accessories to be used in such particular occasion…

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Kheng Hock Keong Temple has one of the strongest trustee funds in Rangoon. All the yellowish structure seeing here are not paints, but pure gold plates donated by pilgrims…

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Similar to other Mazu temples, Mazu, the main deity, is enshrined in the central altar…

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On the left alter is Guan Gong, the God of war…

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Quan Gong images are in different kinds… Depending on the personality, worshipers and believers can choose among the different mood of the God. And this statues reflects my favorite mood of Bravery & Conquer!!!

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On the right alter to Mazu is Bao Sheng Da Di, the God of medicine… Chinese people always pray to Bao Sheng Da Di before any major operations…

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Whether weekend or weekday, sunny or rainy day, the temple is always crowded with pilgrims…

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Bokeh test with Nikon 80-200mm f4, an old lens I succeeded from one of my Mum’s friend…

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The statue of the Guardian spirit at the entrance of the temple…

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The central door of the Temple Entrance!!!

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The auspicious Tazaungmone (pronounce as Ta – Zaung – Mone) is the 8th month of Myanmar lunar calendar. Tazaungmone (also known as Tazaungdaing) is a pleasant month at the end of the rainy season and also regarded as the beginning of the winter. Tazaungmone is a month with lots of merit making activities and events. Katina Robes Offering, Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival, Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar and Mathoe Robe Weaving Contests are outstanding events held in the month Tazaungmone.

MATHOE ROBE WEAVING

“Mathoe Robe” means the robe must be completed weaving and must be offered to the Lord Buddha before dawn of the full-moon day. Mathoe Robe offering takes place in many towns and provinces throughout Myanmar. But Contests taken place on the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda is the biggest and the most famous in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of audiences are assemble on the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda to participate in the Mathoe Robe offering.

ROBE WEAVING CONTEST

Nine groups of six competed, each with a loom named after flowers. All competitors came to Shwedagon Pagoda prior to the contest to practice and learn the contest rules. The weavers came from various parts of the country. The contest kick off at 5:00 PM. Contestants taking part in the contest make great endeavor in weaving the robes. Every team must weave 2/80 fabric between 86 inches and 94 inches.

A contesting team has six members including the team leader. Though there are six members in each group, only three contestants (weaver, sparer and mechanic) may stay on the loom, while the others stay behind the loom. When the loom pauses, the mechanic must hurry to make repairs while the others wait. Members with stamina, energy and thoroughness are selected for weaving the robes and the other members stand by for assistance. Strength of communal work can be seen in this contest. The contestants feel no tiredness and energetically weave to complete Mathoe Robes before dawn.

During the weaving contest, the contestants can request for 5 minutes time-outs. The weaving contests stop at 10:00 PM sharp. Followed by the inspection and marking of the judges on Mathoe Robes’ Length and Quality. Prizes are awarded to the respective winners.

ROBE OFFERING

Later, Mathoe Robes are being prepared by gluing, sewing, patterning with golden papers and gluing golden lilies respectively. At the dawn of full moon day of Tazaungmone, prize winning team lead a procession of carrying the Mathoe Robes to four Buddha Images at four archways of the Shwedagon Pagoda and other prominent pagodas. Enthusiasts are alive with a teeming crowd till dawn. In fact, Mathoe Robe weaving contest and offering ceremony portrays good deeds of our people and our traditional characteristics.

SHOOTING

I used to have a set of Robe Weaving Contest back in 2008. It was just a small post with a total of 6 pics taken on the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda. This year, I decided to share more pics. I was lucky to have 3 photography friends accompanying me to this shooting. The crowd struck me out upon the arrival to the platform. Believe me, it was the largest crowd I have ever seen on Shwedagon Pagoda. We all got stuck at one corner and couldn’t move forward. There were fenders around the contest area. I wanted to go up the contest arena and shoot the looms. Special thanks to Ko Than Tun Lin who took care of my camera bag. I left them and sneaked into the contest area. Finally, I have got the pictures that I wanted. Happy Tazaungdaing to you all…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
11.11.11

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Shwedagon Pagoda, the western archway with Tazaungdaing’s Full-Moon…

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The crowd moved very slowly and we all had to follow…

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The exhibition of the Buddha’s teachings along the Western Archway of Shwedagon Pagoda is a part of the celebration…

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Pilgrims pay a great attention to the displays (light boxes) describe the teachings of Lord Buddha with thorough explanations…

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I hope our people maintain this UNIQUE tradition and customs of Tazaungdaing Festival in full length…

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We had spent about an hour to reach to this contest arena… This is where the Mathoe Robe Weaving Contests took place…

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The weaver put a great endeavor amid the sweats in order to finish the robes in timely manner…

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Rules: Six members in each group, only three contestants (weaver, sparer and mechanic) may stay on the loom, while the others stay behind the loom…

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The cotton looms prepared for the replacement…

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Rules: Every team must weave 2/80 fabric between 86 inches and 94 inches…

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When the loom pauses, the mechanic must hurry to make repairs while the others wait…

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It’s such a breathe-taking scene, the weaver uses both hands and both legs, feel no tiredness and energetically weave to complete Mathoe Robes before dawn…

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Prizes are awarded to the respective winners…

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Tazaungmone’s full-bright-moon amid the clouds… Taken with NIKKOR AF-S NIKON 70-200mm f/2.8 ED NANO VRII lens…

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The great Shwedagon with Tazaungmone’s Full-Moon…

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Thousands of pilgrims on the Shwedagon Pagoda’s platform…

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The celebration continues throughout the night…

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The pilgrims spend the whole night on the Shwedagon’s platform… Till the next day morning to offer the Mathoe Robe to Lord Buddha by dawn…

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Every corner on the Pagoda’s platform is packed. Compared to the same event in 2008, the crowd is 3-4 times bigger…

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9,999 CANDLE LIGHTING taken place on the Shwedagon Pagoda’s platform on the same day…

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Hi everyone! Auspicious Tazaungdaing to you all and may Buddha bless with you with peace, joy and prosperity. Warm wishes from Yangon, Myanmar. For Buddhists, today is such an important Fullmoon Day of Lunar month, Tazaungdaing.

Tazaungdaing (Tazaungmone)

Yellow robes for Kathina offering,
the reward of the Path is the aim.

At this time, scattering the pollins,
the luffa at the end of its gold stem
is rich in fragrance.

Amid the sky
in heaven above
the golden moon Canda
and the brilliant star Pleiades
shine merrily.

by Khin Myo Chit

TAZAUNGDAING aka TAZAUNGMONE

Tazaungmone is the eighth Myanmar lunar month. The celebration of Tazaungdaing festival offer a special kind of robe to monks. The name of the month implies eradication of darkness by means of torches and other various lights. A unique ancient custom of this festival is eating Mezali bud (the cassia siamea bud) salad on the full-moon night. There is a strong belief that the salad will ward off the 96 kinds of diseases known to Myanmars. The rationale is that the guardian-god of the Mezali tree is supposed to be visited by various other gods on the full-moon night, their benign influence making the buds of the tree potently medicinal! It’s a little bitter taste with garlic flavor.

ONCE A YEAR NIGHT BAZAAR

Tazaungdaing is a month with a lot of activities. Robe Weaving, Alms Offiering, Kathina (Ka-Htein), Nirvana Bazaar (Neit Ban Zayy), Night Bazaar, 9,900 Candle Lighting and many more. I wish I could share every single the events here. But then it is not possible. Yes, all these merit making events take place on the same day, full-moon day. So I have to choose which event(s) to shoot.

Last night was full-moon eve. I decided to shoot the night bazaar. My fans in oversea are dying to see these night bazaar photos. They might be away from this ONCE A YEAR event for quite some time. For some of them; years, and some decades! Needless to say, they must be missing. And I can feel their pain. So it’s not a cure but just to relieve them from homesick, I have come up with this set.

Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar is just around the corner of my house. It’s merely 20 second walk from my home. But this is the very first time shooting night bazaar. Yes, I never happen to shoot but this year. I wanted to share this set as a documentary. But I wanted to have some special shots, kinds of pictures that people can’t shoot easily. Finally, came up with an idea of BIRD-EYE VIEW. Yes, to shoot the night bazaar from above. But then, from where to shoot? Thanks to my little brother, Pyay Thein, and his friend, Ma Moe Moe, for helping me find this special place to have the angle I wanted.

Happy Tazaungdaing to you all and there will also be a set of ROBE WEAVING CONTEST pics coming up soon.

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
10 Nov 2011

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Without Mr.Pyay Thein, I will never get this kind of high angle shot. Thank you so much for helping me to get this picture…

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Tazaungdaing Night Bazaar, a bird-eye view…

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Junction of Anawrahta Road & Phone Gyi Street… This 4-Day Night Bazaar will be from 9th Nov 11 to 12 Nov 11…

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I used to ride this kind of wheel in my childhood days. Till today, these wheels are not motorized but balanced by the skilled operators jumping from one step to another…

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These people accelerate / slow down / speed up or stop the wheel by jumping from one step to another with bare hand…

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Tazaungdaing Candid…

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Want to be a B’day girl or a Hero? Just buy a hat and your wish will come true!!!

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A vendor selling traditional crispy pancake made from coconut… Known as “Pyar Ohm Mont“ (translated in English as Bee-Hive Snack)… I use to like it a lot, sweet and oily though…

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A man preparing a traditional snack called “Yay Mont“… It’s salty pancake with peas topping, widely known as Burmese Pizza…

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To be honest, I like all these snacks sold by Street Vendors… This Yay Mont is my MUST EAT snack during Night Bazaar every year…

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Ko Pauk Various Fries… Wanna have some???

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Crispy Crab at Night Bazaar… It’s super big size…

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Shrimps Tempura… People normally eat it with tamarind spicy vinegar sauce…

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Glutinous Rice (Hta-Ma-Ne) vendor… It is also a very popular appetizer for Burmese people…

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Night Bazaar is an A-to-Z one-stop solution for all kinds of traditional hand-made foods. A vendor selling Sticky Rice stuffed in Bamboo (Kauk-Hnyin-Kyi-Tauk-Soot)…

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Sticky Rice stuffed in Bamboo (Kauk-Hnyin-Kyi-Tauk)… It is a very common snack in Myanmar. Sticky rice being stuffed into Bamboo and baked. By baking the bamboo, the sticky rice possesses a special kind of delicious essence…

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Hundreds of food stalls open this year and the whole road is packed. I had to wear a great patience while walking in the bazaar as there is not enough space even for walking…

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A vendor selling MASKS… These masks are made from paper and these all are special size for kids. My aunt always buy me when I was young…

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Tazaungdaing BOKEH (Blurry Beauty) for you all…

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Hello everyone. Happy Thadingyut to you all! Time flies so fast that auspicious lunar month of THADINGYUT comes again. Widely known as Myanma Lighting Festival, the celebration actually welcomes LORD BUDDHA from heaven after he preached the Abidhama (the most difficult of Buddhist teaching) to his mother reborn in heaven.

FLASH BACK

I made a flash back to 2009. It was 3rd OCT 2009 that I had my debut THADINGYUT photos on my blog.  A set of 10 pics taken on Shwedagon Pagoda had summed up tons of comments and voices from my fans and friends. It was simply mind blowing as I always love to hear from my fans.

2010 THADINGYUT

I could not get a chance to celebrate THADINGYUT last year. I was abroad on the job. I had applied leave but it had been declined due to shortage of manpower in our company. I missed out the chance in 2010. Can you imagine how much I feel tickling in my mind to shoot on this very festival?

2011 THADINGYUT

This year, I am back! I am blessed with what I want. As a family custom, our family went to our grandmother’s house to pay obeisance to her. We left our home around 7:00PM. Grandma is 97 years old and she is in a very good health. Dad, Mum, my little brother and I paid homage to our grandmother. I miss my little sister. I wish you could join us, Ei Lay. 8:00PM, I asked my little brother to drive me to Shwedagon Pagoda. And there I captured a few photos to share with you all.

Enjoy and photos, take pleasure in the festive atmosphere and let’s welcome our LORD BUDDHA.

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This scene struck me out! 2009 THADINGYUT was far more crowded…

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I normally shoot such angle from AUNG MYAY because it gives me perfect position to capture the whole pagoda. This time is different! The moon is there and I needed to judge where I wanted to put the moon in the frame…

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Pilgrims at AUNG MYAY… 2009 THADINGYUT, I couldn’t even find a space for me to sit down and pray… There were too much people back in 2009…

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A Buddha Image near AUNG MYAY…

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Pilgrims on Shwedagon Pagoda platform…

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A little nun offering LIGHTS to LORD BUDDHA…

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A man offering LIGHT… Back in 2009, there was 9,000 CANDLE LIGHT offering… And this year is only 4,500 LIGHT…

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This picture brings me back to my childhood day… My dad always bring us to Shwe Taung Sarr Pagoda on Thadingyut Full Moon Day and let us play in the pagoda compound…

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A Buddhist Association create image of LORD BUDDHA with fresh orchid flowers and fruits… It is such a detailing work…

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The Buddha images at the Southern Wing of the Shwedagon Pagoda…

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Built in Myanmar Lunar Year 1299 (A.D 1938) with the donation of 2 cents a person from Thein Gyi Zayy Market, Rangoon…

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An old lady with the helper came over to pay homage to LORD BUDDHA…

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This is for my big brother, Ko Ne Ne Hlwan Moe, who really loves my candle shots…

Here the Christmas comes!  “It comes once a year, but brings a lot of good cheers.”  December for me is truly hectic.  My office forced me to clear the annual leaves.  It’s due to the fact that we cannot carry our annual leaves to next year but to clear off within 2010.  I wish I could clear off my annual leaves days in Christmas and New Year.  But then HR officer said NO.  A lot of our senior fellows will be on Christmas and New Year holidays thus I need to back up their jobs.  So, I cleared off mine last week.  What did I do? I spent my annual leaves by doing a pre wedding assignment.

Me & My December

At the same time, I have been running on a Stock Photo Project under “Christmas Theme”.  Ko Htoon Linn Soe and I accepted a small stock photo project with some copyright sketches.  We have to give full copyright of all the pictures we have taken.  Along with the copyright agreement, we are bound to be constrained from sharing these photos on any kind of digital media.

The real dilemma comes when a lot of my dear friends and fans are waiting for the Christmas post on my blog.  So, I had to do 2 jobs at the same time.  I shoot photos for Stock Photo Project and I too need to shoot for my blog, for my friends and for my fans.  Singapore is small.  There are only a few hot places that I can explore for Christmas.  Plus there are a lot of limitations like weather, lighting, and most importantly TIME.  So far, we are lucky enough to have a collection of merely 25 solid photos for the project.  And we are still working on it.  It ain’t the end for us.  And I have got some nice shots for you guys.  Here they are.

Merry Christmas

I will probably be out of town during Christmas.  I will be in the sea with job assignments.  I will catch up with you guys as soon as possible.  MERRY X’Mas and Very Happy New Year. May your lives as bright as Christmas Lights…

YE LWIN OO (MPS)
17 DEC 2010

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Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful…

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year – and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority…

The iconic ION shopping mall on ORCHARD ROAD has the most sophisticated decors…

South-East Asia’s most famous retail thoroughfare is decked out in dazzling decorations once again as Singapore celebrates the spirit of Christmas…

Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home… ~Carol Nelson~

Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves. .. ~Eric Sevareid~

A corner of ORCHARD ROAD…

Christmas Street Performance in front of TAKASHIMAYA Dept. Store…

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love…  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie~

In Myanmar, there are seasonal festival in every month of Myanmar Lunar Calendar. These festivals develop harmony among the Myanmar people and make them relax both in terms of mentally and physically.  The lunar Thadingyut month falls in October. At the middle of the month, the Thadingyut festival, which is also known as War Kyut festival is celebrated throughout the country, especially on the full moon day.

Different regions celebrate Thadingyut in accordance with their respective rituals and traditions.  People decorate  pagodas, monasteries , houses and streets with various kinds of lighting: candles, oil lamps, oil lamps posts, lanterns, electrical bulbs, etc. for about 3 days. Some entertainments such as  stage shows, dances  traditional opera (in Burmese: Zat Pwe) are shown. Some regions pay homage to Lord Buddha with 9,000 Lights (See Mie Koe Htaung), some areas organize alms offering and free food donation for all visitors rich or poor (in Burmese: Sa Tu Di Tha), some celebrate with classical dances and sport competition and the likes.

Apart from the usual celebrations, people from TAVOY of Tenasserim Division celebrate a special  occasion: the FESTIVAL OF ALMS BOWL FLOWS (in Burmese: Tha Beik Hmyaw Pwe) at the early morning hours of the Full Moon day of Thadingyut. They usually put candles, joss sticks, fruits and money into the bowl and let it flow along the river. They said to pay respect to the noble Shin U Pa Gotta, the guardian of the sea in Buddhism.

And SHWE KYIN of Bago Division celebrate Thadingyut inimitably. People from these area commemorate so called FESTIVAL OF FIRE FLOWS (in Burmese: Mie Hmyaw Pwe) believing that their sins will be wipe away on the religious occasion of Thadingyut. It’s been 158 years that Shwe Kyin has been keeping that tradition. On the festival day, the competition of decorated boats and flotillas is also held along the Shwe Kyin River. People not only from Shwe Kyin but also from other regions nearby come to this festival and participate. Pleasantly decorated Motor Boats compete in Shwe Kyin River the whole day. When the sun sets, the beautifully decorated Karaweik Barge which carries the images of Lord Buddha and the Stupa of Shin U Pa Gotta monk turns round right three times to accept the homage of the people’s worshiping. Then, the people fire firecrackers and set oil lotus lamps along the Shwe Kyin River. There are countless oil lamps floating along the river. After lighting the camps, the stupa of Shin U Pa Gotta from the Karaweik Barge is moved to the bamboo raft, which is surrounded by the bamboo fence and then set adrift. According to the Buddha teaching, it is believed that the setting of Shin U Pa Gotta Stupas in the river will save and protect the people who make a living on the water.

COLORFUL LOTUS OIL LAMPS

The Thadingyut Setting Oil Lamps Festival of Shwe Kyin in Bago Division is very renown in Myanmar. It is annually held on the 1st day after the Thadingyut full moon day. The very objective of this festival is to offer lights to Lord Buddha and Shin U Pa Gotta by setting the colorful oil lanterns along the Shwe Kyin River. The makers of these lotus shaped oil lanterns believe that the festival wipe away all the sins and bad lucks along with the water.  Thus,  ladies from Shwe Kyin spend time to manufacture these oil lanterns by themselves to gain merit.

THE MAKING OF LOTUS LANTERNS

In making oil lanterns, the first step is to cut the  oil-paper of various colors around 2 x 4 feet. The oil-paper is a type of smoky paper, which bears heat, resists long hours of lighting and prevents from burning easily. Later, it is systematically cut and fold to the lotus shaped cups and stick with glue. A great deal of customary skill is needed in sticking to get the shape of lotus cup. Then the liquid wax is poured into lotus shaped cup paper and the wick is buried in the middle before the liquid wax gets formed. The wick is compacted to light a long time. Finally, you can pleasantly see the colorful, lotus oil lanterns. “Every year, not less than light 50 thousand oil lamps are manufactured not only for the people from Shwe Kyin but also for the visitors from various regions of the country,” a local said.

Credits: Ko Than Lwin & family (Ma Dauk Myo) for their heartiest host and the accompany.  Without them, there won’t be this post here…

Many groups of Burmese Classical Dancing Troupes (in Burmese: Yein A Phwe) on decorated boats to pay homage to Lord Buddha on this auspicious day…

A performance group demonstrating the lotus, a very symbol of Shwe Kyin Festival of Fire Flows…

5:00 in the evening, the performance troupes assemble at meeting point…  That’s SHWE KYIN RIVER…

The guards demonstrating the ancient tradition of rowyers…

The image of Shin U Pa Gotta monk turns right three times to accept the homage of the people’s worshiping…

it is believed that the setting of Shin U Pa Gotta Stupas in the river will save and protect the people who make a living on the water…

The audience on the bank of SHWE KYIN RIVER…

Pilgrims playing water along SHWE KYIN RIVER…

People started lighting up the lotus lanterns when the darkness comes…

That’s how SHWE KYIN natives pay homage to offer lights to Lord Buddha and Shin U Pa Gotta…

The fireworks started around 8:00 PM and that’s end of the festival…

Myanmar is rich in traditions and 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. This nationwide festival is held at the end of the Buddhist lent on the festival day it as a custom. This is the second most popular festival after Thingyan (New Year Water Festival). 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.  Burmese people celebrate the festival throughout the county during the auspicious Burmese Lunar month of Thadinguyt which normally falls in the 3rd week of October…

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 thread 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 to elders. In Burmese we call Kan Dawt, 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.

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, forgiveness and wish them best for up coming days.

DONATIONS and ALMS OFFERING ON FULL MOON DAY

On the full moon day, residents in Yangon go to Shwedagon pagoda and other famous pagodas to pay homage, to offer alms, candle lights, joss sticks, flowers and fruits.  Hundreds of thousands of religious Buddhists assembles on Shwedagon pagoda for prayer saying and for doing other kinds of good deeds.  Some Buddhists unions and groups invites monks to offer robes and other monkshood accessories on this auspicious full moon day.

SHOOTING

This post is an output of two shootings.  The same place but then different day and different theme.

(PART I): The first part of the post represent the lighting activities on Shwedagon pagoda.  The biggest candle lighting festival called 9,000 Lights (See Mie Koe Htaung Pwe) is held on Shwdagon pagoda from 6:30 – 9:00 PM.  So, it was the day before full moon day.  I was there on Shwedagon pagoda for this special event.

The arch way set up at Shwedagon Western Approach says “MYANMAR TRADITIONAL THADINGYUT LIGHTING FESTIVAL”

The decorations simply reflect the core value of THADINGYUT…

New era comes and electric lanterns replaces the traditional ones…  But the our people still value those from old days…

Total of 9,000 small earthen saucers filled with sesame oil where pieces of cotton threads are used as wicks… once a year homage to Lord Buddha…

The glorious array of light dedicated to welcome descent of Lord Buddha from heaven…

(PART II) This is full moon day of auspicious Thadingyut, one of the most important days for Buddhists.  3 Oct 2009, I went to pagoda 4:30 in the morning with two photographer friends.  To capture the alms offering and religious activities.

The pilgrims on the Shwedagon Pagoda at 5:00 in the morning…

A Burmese lady offering Ah Yone Hsoon (Early morning alms) to the Lord Buddha…

Some religious Buddhists offer flowers on this special day…

These religious young guys form volunteer teams (in Burmese, Neik Ban Hsaw), collect donations and alms within their residential area, finally come to Shwedagon pagoda at 5:00AM…

A group of pilgrims on their way to Pagoda homage area…

]]> http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/thadingyut-lighting-festival.html/feed 81 http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/novitiation-ceremony-2.html http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/novitiation-ceremony-2.html#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:50:22 +0000 Ye Lwin Oo http://yelwinoo.com/?p=1849 TRADITION

It is the most important duty and wishes of all Burmese parents to make sure their sons are admitted to the Buddhist Monkhood Sangha by performing a Shin Pyu Nirvada (Novitiation) ceremony at least once they have reached the age of seven or older. For a Burmese Buddhist male, it is important for him to be a (monk) novice for a certain period in his life as this will enable him to gain Karma (Merit). Since only boys can have Novitiation, parents used to be proud to have sons. Novitiation ceremony can be celebrated once the boys they have reached the age of seven or older. Novice is the first step to become a monk later when they reaches adulthood .

Usually, the boy who is around the age of 10 years will join The Order as a novice. There is no fixed age for entering the order as a novice, but he must be under the age of 19 years and 3 months. (In Buddhism, a person becomes alive at conception, so at 19 years and 3 months, he will be 20 years old). He will usually stay in The Order as a novice for a few weeks. (Usually a week to a month, but may be more). He will learn basic principles, morals and religious teachings that are essential in becoming a good Buddhist.

As this is a very important occasion for him and his family, the parents usually celebrate the event in an extravagant manner. They save money for a long time for that special occasion and spend as much as they afford. Usually celebrated during school holidays or after the harvest when they get money from the sale of crops. The boy is dressed in princely outfits of silk and wears a gold headdress. He is then carried around the town on a white horse or in a car or  modified tractor vehicle “trawlergyi” nowadays in a grand procession with the parents, relatives and friends following along in a grand procession. Musicians are hired to entertain guests. Not all families can afford this extravagantce however, and many Shin Pyus are more modest.

At the monastery, his hair is shaved and begins the ceremony of becoming the novice begins. After the ceremony, he becomes a proud member of the Holy Order of Sangha. Usually “soon” meals are offered to the monks and all the guests are also served with meals.

SHOOTING

The rituals are a bit different from region to region. In those suburban areas, the novices ride on horses / elephants with all the trimmings of folk music troupes and processions. However, in Rangoon (Yangon), horses are not allowed on the roads. So, people rather use Hilux or Jeeps for those processions. So, I am sharing two different processions here.  The one at suburban (Kwan Chan Gone township) and also the one at Yangon (Shwedagon Pagoda).

* * * * *

In far flung areas like Kwan Chan Gone, people utilize plotting tractors (trawlergyi) as transporter for grand processions…

The novice is privileged to ride on the Horse, blessed with shade of Golden Umbrella and surrounded by Collaborators, all of which frame the symbols of Royal Family…

Beautiful and attractive ladies in the village take the role of carrying the betel-caskets and lead the grand procession… (in Burmese, we call these ladies KWAN TAUNG KAI)…

A grand procession on SHWEDAGON PAGODA of Yangon…

At least once in a boy’s life, he walks under GOLDEN UMBRELLA and yes, that’s his novitiation…

The to-be novice guy has his hair shaven off and the parents hold the towel collecting the gracious falling hair…

The to-be novice need to request the yellow robes in Pali from the monk…

]]> http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/novitiation-ceremony-2.html/feed 35 http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/mandalay-150-years.html http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/mandalay-150-years.html#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 18:38:36 +0000 Ye Lwin Oo http://yelwinoo.com/?p=1595 MANDALAY THE GREAT

Rich with cultural heritage, Mandalay, also known as Yadanabon, was historically built by King Mindon in 1857, standing as the last royal capital of Myanmar.

In 1857 Mandalay was set up in an empty area, because, according to an ancient prophecy, in that exact place a town would come into existence on occasion of the 2,400th jubilee of Buddhism.

King Mindon decided to fulfill the prophecy and during his reign in the Kingdom of Amarapura he issued a royal order on 13 January, A.D 1857 to establish a new kingdom. The Ceremony of Ascending the Throne was celebrated in July, 1858. The royal city and the kingdom were demarcated. The whole royal city was called Lay Kyun Aung Myay (“The Conqueror Land of the World”) and the royal palace, the Mya Nan San Kyaw (“The Royal Emerald Palace”). The kingdom was called the Kingdom of Yadanabon, along with other name Ratanapura, means “The Bejeweled Site”. Later it was called Mandalay after the Mandalay Hill, 2.5km far to the north east of the royal palace, and today the name still exists. The name “Mandalay” is a derivative of the Pali word “Mandala”, which means “a plains land”and also that of the Pali word “Mandare”, which means “an auspicious land”.

THE EVENT

It was a sun-drenched morning in the city of Mandalay, and thousands of people were lining the street on the southern end of the palace gate, anticipating the appearance of the king and his ministers.

In the meantime, the crowd was entertained by girls dancing to the music of a traditional Myanmar orchestra, the beauty of their dazzling costumes accentuated by the gleaming sunlight.

The royal parade, when it appeared, consists of scores of soldiers on foot and horseback, while other than men pulling heavy cannons behind them. Some carried cannons over shoulders. There were horse-drawn chariots and decorated elephants. And of course there were king and queen, princes, princesses and their royal retinue of ministers and servants.

It was a scene straight out of the 19th century, but the events actually occurred last Tuesday (14th May 2009) to kick off three days celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Mandalay by King Mindon.

The opening ceremony was held at a decorated pavilion in front of Mandalay City Hall on 26th Street.  More than 600 state students had assembled and were wearing the traditional costumes of the King Mindon period.

SHOOTING

It’s a perfect timing.  I was in Mandalay since 13th May for new products launching party of my company. I have been lucky to be accompanied by local photographer friends, Nyi Min San, Tha Khin Gyi and Ko Mg Hla.  Naing Naing Tun (Exposure) was also there for Mandalay’s 150th Birthday.  We all had a pleasant shooting there.

14 May 2009.  I woke up 4:00 AM in the morning to go and shoot at Mahamyatmuni Buddha Image.  There is the face washing ceremony at 4:00 every morning.  I have been dying to have this inimitable face washing process appeared on my site.  So, I went there with my office staffs and arrived back hotel by 6:00 AM.  I have captured couples of nice shots; most of them hit my expectation. It was 6:00 AM sharp when I called up Nyi Min San to pick me up at hotel.  Then we met up with Tha Khin Gyi , Ko Mg Hla and Naing Naing Tun at Min Thi Ha local tea shop.  Then we walked to the southern entrance of the Grand Palace.  The sun was scorching and we all walked couples of miles taking shots of our favorite angles.  Nyi Min San and I wrapped up around 10:00 AM since I got a meeting at 10:30 AM. Thank god I was on time for the meeting and I had good shots from the parade…

Credits: Nyi Min San and Tha Khin Gyi for their ultimate helps and accompanies during my stay…

Remark: Long Live Mandalay… This post is dedicated to the 150th Birthday Anniversary of Mandalay.

The stage in front of Mandalay City Hall under Neon Lights (a shot taken on 13th May night)…

The Burmese Army from the era of the late King Mindon…

The quintessence of Burmese Armed Force…

The parade ready to kick off at Southern Gate of Mya Nann San Kyaw Grand Palace…

The original parade in 1859 said to have 7,000 people but in 2009, the parade mere has 1,200 people…

The Cannon Force from Yadanabon era…

King Mindon’s security force marching on 26th Street…

The parade was leaded by the team demonstrated the Minstry of Information from the era of King Mindon…

A Burmese soldier…

Ministers…

The horse-drawn royal charoit of King Mindon and the Queen…

King and Queen…

The Generals…

The pavilion for opening ceremony and 600 state school students in traditional costumes of King Mindon period…

The renown Myo Ma orchestra celebrating the 150th Birthday Anniversary of Mandalay…

Mar Ga Lu Lin orchestra of Yadanabon…

I have seen hundreds of camera men making their shots from different angles…

The audience in front of Mandalay City Hall…

]]> http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/mandalay-150-years.html/feed 53 http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/merry-kason.html http://yelwinoo.com/festivals-events/merry-kason.html#comments Sat, 09 May 2009 17:57:30 +0000 Ye Lwin Oo http://yelwinoo.com/?p=1554 THE GREAT KASON

Myanmar New Year begins with sprays of cool water showering on friends with goodwill and loving kindness.  Come Kason, the second month of Myanmar lunar calendar, and once again water is poured.  This time on the sacred tree, the Bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment. The Full moon Day of Kason is a day of three – fold significance the Day the Buddha was born, the day He attained Enlightenment and the Day of His Demise. All over the Myanmar, men and women of all ages go to pagodas in procession to pour water at the root of sacred ‘Bo-Tree’ or ‘Bodhi’ tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment.

RITUALS

Carrying water pots on their heads, the lines of people make up a picturesque parade indeed, as they are usually accompanied by a music troupe whose flutes, cymbals, drums and bamboo clappers add a note of gaiety to the festival. They always walk in the clockwise direction. The worshipers chant verses in praise of Buddha. Moreover, on this special day, people offer alms, keep precepts and practice meditation in order to remember Buddha’s teachings

The Buddhists perform meritorious deeds, meditate to attain Enlightenment; keep Sabbath; go to pagodas and monasteries, and give offertories to monks and nuns.

SHOOTING

I went Shwedagon pagoda 4:30 in the morning and waited around 15 minutes in queue.  Yes, waited to get a ride on the lift.  The Sun hasn’t shown up when I arrived there.  I went to Dhamazedi shrine (a famous Buddha image on Shwedagon Pagoda) to offer food basket and then had couples of shoots around the pagoda. Enjoy the photos and get the Buddha blessings on this merit making occasion.

A long queue at lift.  I was there 15 minutes just to get a ride since the lift carries only 8 people at a time…

The signboard describing the event and the sacred tree behind… Taken 5:20 AM…

On this special day, people offer alms, keep precepts and practice meditation in order to remember Buddha’s teachings…

There was no space… everywhere is for religious people…  Can you imagine the crowd? Yes, that’s the scene I am really proud of…

Carrying water pots on their heads, the lines of people make up a picturesque parade indeed…

Alms offering is an important part of the event…

The Great Shwedagon on fullmoon day of Kason… (this photo is requested by Pyi Soe)

The red earthen pots are the most important symbols of the festival…

The ritual takes place not only on Shwedagon pagoda, but everywhere in Myanmar.  A shot taken near my home…

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