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…

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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.

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…

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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…

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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…

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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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This is how religious Chinese people pay homage to GOD OF SKY during new year season…

Some people attach name tags in which they include the name of the person they are dedicating to…

Not to be outdone, this is outside the temple…  the layout seems uniformly admiring…

SPIRAL JOSS STICKS

Joss sticks are a type of incense used in many East Asian countries, traditionally burned before a Chinese religious image, idol or shrine. They can also be burned in front of a door, or open window as an offering to heaven, or devas. In modern days, joss sticks can be used for any purpose, such as to enhance the smell of a room, or to light fire crackers. Joss sticks are religious materials in China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, Korea and Japan.

Joss stick burning is an everyday practice in traditional Chinese religion. There are many different types of joss sticks used for different purposes or on different festive days. Many of them are long and thin and are mostly colored yellow, red, and more rarely, black. Thick joss sticks are used for special ceremonies, such as funerals. Spiral joss sticks are also used on a regular basis, which are found hanging above temple ceilings, with burn times that are exceedingly long. In some states, such as Taiwan, Singapore, or Malaysia, where they celebrate the Ghost Festival, large, pillar-like dragon joss sticks are sometimes used.

SHOOTING

It was Chinese New Year eve. I went down to the Latha Chinese shrine to pay homage. I was alone. Yes, I always go there alone or sometimes, with my Dad. When I arrived the entrance of the temple, I was startled. I saw hundreds of spiral joss sticks hanging around the ceiling of the temple. This is ONCE-A-YEAR event to celebrate Chinese New Year. So I decided to have some shots to come up with this documentary.

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Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D40
Exposure Time – 1/20s
ISO Speed – 400
Focal Length – 38mm

PRE-SHOOTING

One of my friends shared me that every SUNDAY morning, there is HSOON OFFERING ceremony on SHWEDAGON PAGODA. This piece of information had surged into my mind. Being a traditions lover, it has been my thirst to have this shot being published on here. It was back in October 2008. I was there exclusively to arrest HSOON OFFERING ceremony. “HSOON” in Burmese language refers to alms / the meal being offered to Lord Buddha or monks.

SHOOTING

As usual, I woke up a bit late on that day. I drove my car with a NEED FOR SPEED frenzy. I couldn’t even park my car properly. I was in a genuine fuss that the ceremony would be over by the time I arrived there. Luck was on my side. I saw a group of women still preparing for the ceremony. “That’s it”, I murmured to myself. I requested the leader of the group to allow me to take some photos. She openhandedly said “YES”. I captured only 2 shots because I also wanted to interview the lady.

“Son, this is weekly HSOON OFFERING ceremony. Every SUNDAY, we gather here to offer HSOON to the Buddha images (statues) on SHWEDAGON PAGODA. We have approximately 200 members organized for this ceremony. We normally offer HSOON (alms) exactly at 7:00 AM and started preparing since 4:00 AM. Cash donations primarily come from our friends, relatives and yes also from our pockets. We perform HSOON offerings throughout three-month Buddhist lent. Meanwhile, there are 12 offerings for a year. Apart from these 12, we also perform similar offerings on full moon days of every Burmese lunar month and also on the important days of our religion. We have succeeded this custom from our grandparents. I have been doing this since I was 14”, the group leader said.

She continued, “Our HSOON offering include rice, water, candle light and assorted seasonal fruits of 9 different kinds. There are thousands of Buddha images here on SHWEDAGON. So, we spend 150,000 – 200,000 Kyats per offering. I am so much delighted that we have more than 100 teenagers being members. I will manage to hand over this gracious tradition to these new generations”.

Credits: Particular thanks Aunty D.Win Nu Swe for her short but adequate interview.

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The Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give alms to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city’s important monasteries are paraded through the streets so that people can toss water at them, ritually ‘bathing’ the images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats. In northern Thailand, people may carry handfuls of sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated with colorful flags.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs.

Songkran is also celebrated in many places with a pageant in which young women demonstrate their beauty and unique talents, as judged by the audience. The level of financial support usually determines the winner, since, to show your support you must purchase necklaces which you place on your chosen girl.

SHOOTING

Once again, it is my serious wish to have some shots of water splashing during this auspicious season.  Bangkok nowadays is under STATE OF EMERGENCY. All of my friends asked me to stick my ass in my room.  But then, I couldn’t.  Today, I went AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) at Prathum Thani.  One of my friends told me that there is a water splashing event there.  My friends, Myo Kyaw Htun and Myo Min Win, were my accompanies.  There was a host at AIT called Kyi Cin Shwe. We arrived there around noon.  People already started playing water.  I had lots of shots and so does Myo Kyaw Htun. I saw some nice shots on his camera so sharing some of his shots here also.

Special Credits: My friends, Myo Kyaw Htun, Myo Min Win and Little Kyi Cin Shwe.

During Songkran, everyone young and old fervantly flash water with a great happiness…

Bwan…  That’s how people throw water…

Giant fire fighter pipes are efficiently utilized at AIT…

I have never known there are heaps of Burmese students at AIT…

This little guy was so happy splashing water around…  I really miss my childhood days…

They way people splash water in Songkran is exactly the same as Burmese’s Thingyan…  The only difference is that they used powder…

A group of Burmese friends at AIT Songkran Event

Water wash away their SIN…  that’s the renown belief of Songkran…

He seems too energetic playing with this giant pipe…

MYO KYAW HTUN likes this picture so much…  Taken with his NIKON D-80 and NIKKOR 18-135mm…

Participants at AIT Songkran, Bangkok, Thailand…

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NEW YEAR WISHES FROM YE LWIN OO

“Thingyan comes but once a year, and when it does it brings good cheers.” Thingyan, Myanmar New Year festival, is the biggest celebration here in Burma.  Don’t be surprised!! Burma has 12 big festivals in a year characterizing one festival for each month. Among them, THINGYAN is the major celebration of Burmese people.

I don’t like playing water during Thingyan. But I love seeing people who play water. Last year Thingyan, I was staying home and preparing for an exam. I took breaks during lunch time and yes seized some shots nearby my home. The sun was burly enough to burn our skin as Thingyan also is a symbol of summer in Myanmar.

So, this is esteem to Thingyan (aka) Burmese New Year festival. Dear friends, be satisfied with this THINGYAN shot of last year… May you have a very prosperous year ahead…

Taken 2008 THINGYAN on MAHABANDOHLA ROAD of RANGOON, Captial of Burma…

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It is believed that water festival (known as THINGYAN) washes away sins and welcomes the New Year. The water festival represents the most popular, raucous and colorful celebration of the year for more than 120 million people who will abandon any thoughts of work and bring their nations to a standstill. People around the country gather together again and visits pagodas, offers and pay homage to the monks, play traditional games and celebrate with their joyous spirit.

On those days people especially young and adult people are throwing water to each other to get relief from the intense heat of the season and to wash away the sins from the past year and celebrate water festival. However, throwing water at elderly people, pregnant women and Sabbath keepers is taboo, especially in rural areas.  Many elderly people spend the duration of the Festival observing Sabbath, meditate and donate to charities. In addition, Special interests at Thingyan are the beautifully decorated floats with people singing and dancing on them that go around the city.

SHOOTING

I am now in Bangkok.  Yes, I flied here today.  I won’t be in Yangon during Thingyan.  My apology to my fans who have been looking forward to see the photos of THINGYAN (Water Festival / Myanmar New Year Festival).  I truthfully felt so sorry for that and I had been wrestling with my mind at least to have a post with THINGYAN spirit.  I indeed wanted to compensate my absentee of fetching the biggest celebration in Myanmar (Burma).

I woke up so early today.  In fact, I could not sleep well due to frequent electricity black outs.  Weather is burning and there is no electricity for almost all day long.  Imagine!!  So, I called up my best friend, WYNN THEIN, early in the morning to come and pick me up.  9:00 AM, here he came!!  I paid homage to my Dad and left home.  Had my breakfast at LUCKY SEVEN local teashop.  Then to my Mom’s office just to give a sweet kiss.  My departure time is 14:20.  I got some three hours.  Cool.  I asked WYNN THEIN to give me a drive around INYA ROAD, the ever hottest place of YANGON’S THINGYAN.  I had some photos of pandals rising along the INYA road.  So, I am here sharing with you at least to bring your soul to INYA road and of course YANGON THINGYAN.

This is NGU, a kind of flower which symbolizes the spirit of THINGYAN…

This NGU tree stands right in front of UFL (University of Foreign Languages) on University Avenue Road…

It’s in front of Kokine Chinese Temple.  Possibly the biggest pandal in Yangon sponsored by TMW ENTERPRISE (SONY, T-HOME, INAX and LG).  The Trees music band will be here on the stage with Phyo Gyi, Tin Zar Maw, Sone Thin Par, Pho Kar and many other renown singers).

This year, YANGON CITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (YCDC) granted 40 pandals permitted along INYA ROAD…

Blizzard by Myanmar DJs association…  Look at the speakers on the stage…  It rocks!!!

The organizers of this pandal has 6 years of experiences on INYA road…

The entrance of YANGON SAILING CLUB (YANGON BOATS CLUB) is taken by ZERO YGN pavilion…  The fees of this pandal is 45,000 KYATS (US$ 45) for 3 days…

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