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Myanmar Festival
According to the Myanmar lunar calendar,
every Myanmar month has exactly 28 days. The days are counted in
sequences of waning and waxing in accordance with the state of
the moon. The Myanmar era starts 638 years after the Christian
era, and it is said to have been dated from the foundation of
Bagan by the Pyu King Duttabaung. Hence AD 2008 is ME 1371. Most
of the Buddhist festivals are based on the Myanmar calendar and
thus the exact dates of them vary from year to year according to
the position of the moon. Many Pagoda festivals can last for
several days and people come from far and near to worship,
market and varieties of entertainment are sprung up around the
Pagoda. In the meantime we are pleased to offer you the
following event programs for 2008-2009.
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Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
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Kyauk-taw-gyi Pagoda Festival
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Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda Festival
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Shwezigon Pagoda Festival
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Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony
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Taunggyi Hot Air balloon Festival
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Myanmar New Year Water Festival
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Kachin Manao Festival
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Naga New Year Festival
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Salone Festival
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Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
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Full Moon Day of Kason (or) Bo Tree
Watering Festival
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Taungpyone Festival
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Full Moon Day of Thadingyut
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Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival (Mon State)
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Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
Celebrated in a town called "Kyaukse",
situated near the "Mandalay". This small town is noted for its
elephant dancing. These elephants are not real - but made of
cloth or paper and borne and animated by two men inside. This
procession is accompanied by a music troupe of drums, cymbals,
flute and so on.
Kyauk-taw-gyi Pagoda Festival
Situated in Mandalay, the last royal capital
of Myanmar Kings. This pagoda itself is noted for its Buddha
Image that was carved out of a single block of huge marble. This
Pagoda festival is one of the most prominent in Mandalay with
lots of food stalls, theatrical shows, magic shows, and so on.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most
dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale
for 18 days, usually falls in October (sometimes in September).
Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are
carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the
Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and
hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of
people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It
is really a splendid sight.
Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event
of the festival, especially for foreigners, is their boat race -
due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in
the world that one can see such marvelous act.
(The exact dates of festival vary from year to year according to
the Myanmar lunar calendar.)While our itinerary is not fixed yet
for this year, we outline a sample itinerary as follows :
| |
Day 1. |
Yangon arrival. |
| |
Day 2. |
Yangon - Heho –Pindaya Cave- Inle Lake |
| |
Day 3. |
Inle Lake |
| |
Day 4. |
Inle Lake |
| |
Day 5. |
Inle Lake |
| |
Day 6. |
Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon |
| |
Day 7. |
Yangon Departure |
Day 1. Yangon Arrival.
Arrive by morning flight,
welcomed by our local tour guide and transfer to hotel. The
tour of Yangon city center featuring Chaukhtatgyi,
a colossal reclining Buddha; Kyauk Taw Gyi
Pagoda, the largest marble Buddha Image in the world,
sculptured out from a single piece of stone, Gaba Aye
(World Peace) Pagoda, significant for Sixth World
Buddhist Synod which held in Maha Pasana Guha (Cave)
,City Center with City Hill, Sule
Pagoda, Independence Monument and the world
famous Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the wonder of
the world. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2.
Yangon - Heho – Pindaya Cave - Inle Lake ( By Flight )
After breakfast at hotel, fly by morning flight to
Heho. Proceed by road to Pindaya (60Km), a small
quiet town about one and half hour drive where many tourists
would come for the Pindaya caves in which thousands
of centuries-old Buddha images of various sizes are placed,
some carved in the face of rock and some deposited in niches
in the walls. Visit Pindaya cave; home
base paper making and umbrella
making workshop. Drive back to Inle Lake for
two hours, the residence of the Intha people, Unique
Leg-rowers, and a kind of water world. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3. Inle Lake
Boat race and enjoy the best view while royal barge is
towed by the boats of leg-rowers. It is a magnificent view
to witness such a marvelous act. Overnight at a floating
hotel in the lake.
Day 4. Inle Lake
After breakfast at hotel, get the real feelings of the
lake by visiting famous floating gardens;
floating weaving village of Inpawkon;
traditional fishing methods of native Intha
people; Phaungdawoo Pagoda in which five
golden statues; Ngaphechaung old teak wood
monastery . Overnight at a floating hotel in the lake.
Day 5. Inle Lake
After breakfast at hotel, boat ride to the western shore
of Inle Lake to visit Shwe Indein ancient
pagodas, over one thousand stupa there. Afternoon return to
Inle Lake and continue for the rest of the sightseeing.
Overnight at a floating hotel in the lake.
Day 6. Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon ( By
Flight )
After breakfast at hotel,
drive to Heho airport for an hour and fly back to
Yangon. Arrive at Yangon airport and visit Bogyoke
(Scott) Market with hundreds of stalls for
souvenirs, Yangon Harbor and Busy China Town.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7. Yangon - Departure
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to
airport for departure.
Tour price is available on
request.
| Include: |
Exclude: |
| -accommodation ( Twin Shared ) |
-airport tax (US$ 10) |
| -breakfast |
-meals ( lunch/dinner ) |
| -English speaking local tour guide |
-personal expenses such as drinks,laundry, |
| -entrance fees |
souvenir, etc. |
| -transport ( flight / car / boat ) |
|
|
Tazaungmon
Tazaungmon is the eight month in the Myanmar
lunar calendar (usually falls in November). Monsoon month bid
farewell and comes the Tazaungmon with more lights and
festivities. Look all around, there is nothing but blue skies
and the fresh cool breeze of the winter time begins. The
Tazaungmon festival, however, means more than a mere change of
the weather condition.
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival
 Built in the mid 11th century, the graceful
bell shape of Shwezigon Stupa was a prototype for later stupas
of Myanmar. Chronicles describe that the holy tooth, collar-bone
and frontlet relics of Buddha are enshrined in the Pagoda. Two
great kings are associated with the construction of this massive
Pagoda- Anawratha (1044-1077) and Kyansittha (1084-1113). It was
first built by king Anawrahta, although he was able to finish
only three terraces before he died. Only in the reign of king
Kyansittha was the Pagoda completed in 7 months and 7 days
according to the scholars. There are three other Pagodas in
which the tooth relics are enshrined in the Bagan area. Myanmar
devotees believe wishes could be fulfilled paying homage to
these 4 tooth relics Pagodas within one day. Its festival is
held annually. It lasts for 23 days during which one can find
food stalls, fun-fairs, shops selling local products, dance/
drama/ theatrical shows, magic shows, puppet shows, and so on.
Myanmar people-young and old simply love to have a stroll around
the place where there is a Pagoda festival.
Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony
Another significance of the month is that it
is the time during which Kathina robes are offered to the Holy
order. Kathina is a Pali word, meaning "The donation that will
bring great benefit". During the life time of the Buddha, thirty
monks traversed a long journey to pay obeisance to the lord
Buddha. En route, unfortunately, there was a heavy downpour and
they were drenched when they got to the Buddha. Since they had
no other robes for changes the lord Buddha then allowed the
offering of Kathina robes to them. The offering is meant only to
the needy and not to individuals. Besides, they cannot be
offered at all times but only once a year during the particular
period.
Taungyyi Hot Air Balloon Festival
It is held in commemoration of offering
lights to the "Sula Mani Pagoda", built in Tavatimsa (realm of
the celestial beings). Jatakas (the Buddha's birth stories)
relate that when Prince Theidatta made a great renunciation to
become the Buddha, He shed His Hairs and flung them into the
sky, there and then the Tagyarmin (King of the celestial beings)
took them to enshrine in the Sula Mani Pagoda. To honour this
Sula Mani Pagoda, huge fire balloons are floated high above
throughout the country.
It is held in Taunggyi, a capital of the southern Shan State. It
is said to have been the origin of Pa-o minority. It is
celebrated annually on a grand scale for 6 days. These balloons
are released day and night, competing over their beauty, lasting
hours and the attitude they can gain. During the festival period
one can find food stalls, fan-fair, shops selling local
products, theatrical shows, magic shoes, and so on. People from
any part of the country love to come and celebrate the
occasion.( The exact dates of festival vary from year to year
according to the Myanmar lunar calendar. )While our itinerary is
not fixed yet for this year, we outline a sample itinerary as
follows :
|
Festival Tour Program
|
Day-1 |
Yangon arrival |
|
Day-2 |
Yangon - Bagan ( By Flight )
|
|
Day-3 |
Bagan –Salay-Bagan |
|
Day-4 |
Bagan - Heho – Pindaya ( By
Flight ) |
|
Day-5 |
Pindaya - Kalaw |
|
Day-6 |
Kalaw – Taunggyi
|
|
Day-7 |
Taunggyi - Kakku – Inle
Lake |
|
Day-8 |
Inle Lake |
|
Day-9 |
Inle Lake
|
|
Day-10 |
Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon (
By Flight ) |
|
Day-11 |
Yangon - Departure |
Day-1. Yangon Arrival.
Arrive by morning flight,
welcomed by our local tour guide and transfer to hotel. The
tour of Yangon city center featuring Chaukhtatgyi,
a colossal reclining Buddha; Kyauk Taw Gyi
Pagoda, the largest marble Buddha Image in the world,
sculptured out from a single piece of stone, Gaba Aye
(World Peace) Pagoda, significant for Sixth World
Buddhist Synod which held in Maha Pasana Guha (Cave)
,City Center with City Hill, Sule
Pagoda, Independence Monument and the world
famous Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the wonder of
the world. Overnight at Hotel.
Day-2. Yangon - Bagan ( By Flight )
After breakfast at hotel, fly
by morning flight to the ancient city of Bagan. A
comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo
market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype stupa
which shown the strength of Bagan; Gubyaukgyi
Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and
Htilominlo Temple. Afternoon visit to lacquer
ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple
built by exile King Manuha of Thaton; Nanphaya,
said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda
Temple, architectural masterpiece, Oak-Kyaung
monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings
Dhamayangyi Temple, a massive Temple with finest
brick work. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from
Pyathatgyi Temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day-3. Bagan –Salay- Bagan
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Salay for one
and half hour, a town which developed during the late Bagan
era with its two-storey colonial buildings in town. Visit to
Yoke Sone monastery with its exceptional wood
carving on the outside of the building, the largest Lacquer
Buddha Image in Myanmar known as Nan Paya, and
Mahasi Old wooden monastery. Drive back to
Bagan, afternoon sightseeing starts with Lawkananda
Pagoda on river side; East and West Phet Leik
with clay plaque Jataka scenes; Thatbyinnyu Temple
the highest in Bagan; Shwegugyi Temple; Palace site
and Tharaba Gate. Apeyadana Temple with the
paintings of Mahayana concept; Nagayon Temple and
take a boat ride to watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day-4. Bagan - Heho –Pindaya ( By Flight
)
After breakfast at hotel, fly by morning flight to
Heho. Proceed by road to Pindaya (60Km), a small
quiet town about one and half hour drive where many tourists
would come for the Pindaya caves in which thousands
of centuries-old Buddha images of various sizes are placed,
some carved in the face of rock and some deposited in niches
in the walls. Visit Pindaya cave; home
base paper making and umbrella
making workshop. Overnight at Hotel.
Day-5. Pindaya - Kalaw ( By Car )
After breakfast at hotel,
proceed by road ( 48Km - 1˝ hr drive) to Kalaw. On arrival,
transfer to hotel and then witness a procession of devotees
taking offering to the monasteries - some of them holding
aloft what appear to be animal and flower - shaped
ornaments. Looking carefully, and you will find that they
are all made out of crisp banknotes, known as "Ngwe-Badei-thabin"
meaning plenty of money tree. This procession is unique
among all of the events of Kathina ceremony. Overnight at
hotel.
Day-6. Kalaw - Taunggyi ( By Car )
After breakfast at hotel,
proceed by road to Taunggyi (71Km - 3hr drive) and transfer
to hotel. At leisure and simply have a stroll among the
fun-loving local people and enjoy the competition of
balloons festival. Overnight at hotel.
Day-7. Taunggyi - Kakku – Taunggyi –Inle
Lake ( By Car )
After breakfast at hotel, one
and a half hour drive (42Km) to Kakku. Being deep in the
heart of the Shan State, Kakku is the most spectacular
ancient monuments. The site contains over 2,000 Buddhist
stupas with origins dating back many centuries. Legend
describes that the first chedis were built by King Alaung
Sithu, the 12th century King of Bagan. This collection of
Buddhist stupas is still unheard of by many historians.
Drive back to Inle Lake for two hours, the residence
of the Intha people, Unique Leg-rowers, and a kind of
water world. Overnight at floating hotel in the lake.
Day-8. Inle Lake
After breakfast at hotel, get the real feelings of the
lake by visiting famous floating gardens;
floating weaving village of Inpawkon;
traditional fishing methods of native Intha
people; Phaungdawoo Pagoda in which five
golden statues; Ngaphechaung old teak wood
monastery . Overnight at a floating hotel in the lake.
Day-9. Inle Lake
After breakfast at hotel, boat ride to the western shore
of Inle Lake to visit Shwe Indein ancient
pagodas, over one thousand stupa there. Afternoon return to
Inle Lake and continue for the rest of the sightseeing.
Overnight at a floating hotel in the lake.
Day-10. Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon ( By
Flight )
After breakfast at hotel,
drive to Heho airport for an hour and fly back to
Yangon. Arrive at Yangon airport and visit Bogyoke
(Scott) Market with hundreds of stalls for
souvenirs, Yangon Harbor and Busy China Town.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day-11. Yangon - Departure
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to
airport for departure.
Tour price is available on
request.
|
Include:
|
Exclude: |
|
-Accommodation ( Twin Shared )
|
-Airport tax (US$ 10) |
|
-Breakfast |
-Meals ( lunch/dinner ) |
|
-English speaking local tour guide
|
-Personal expenses such as |
| -Entrance fees |
- drinks, souvenir, lundary, etc. |
|
-Transport ( flight / car / boat )
|
|
|
|
|
