December is a good time for pilgrims to see a few religious festivals in Myanmar. Soak up festive festivals in Mae Lamu Pagoda or Mount Popa.
Mae Lamu Pagoda Festival
Time: From 8th to the full-moon day of Nadaw month
Duration: 8 days
Location: North Okkalapa, Yangon
Mae Lamu Pagoda Festival is one of the famous temple festivals in Yangon. During the festival, the monks chant 24 hours per day. The Buddhists offer to the Buddha and monks. Many traditional performances and music shows are played on the stages around the pagoda’s compound.
Popa Guardian Spirit Festival
Time: from the full-moon day of Nadaw month
Duration: 6 days
Location: Mount Popa, near the city of Bagan
In the festival time, all the pilgrims and residents from the neighboring area gather in the rituals to collect the merit with the hope of a new year of luck and prosperity. All the rituals are held at the Mount Popa area.
9000 Lights of Candle Festival
Time: annually on 31st December
Duration: 1 day
Location: Temple Kyaik Htiyo, Mon state
On the night of the festival, Buddhists lit 9000 lights to welcome the New Year and offer to the Buddha in the Kyaiktiyo pagoda. The Buddhists and believers have fun and dance all night.
In the festival, Buddhist followers go to pagodas and stupas to offer flowers, a variety of fruits, rice (soon) and candle lights.
Hello, can I get more information on the “9000 Lights of Candle Festival,” please? Everything I’ve found on it shows that it happens in October. I can’t find anything mentioned about it happening on Dec 31st. Can you please confirm? Is the picture shown from the Dec event or the Oct one? I’m planning my whole Myanmar Dec/Jan trip around this event. Thank you.
Hi Channy,
The 9000 Lights Festival takes place in the evening of December 31st every year at Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock). It is when the locals and pilgrims devote light 9000 lamps to welcome the New Year and to give thanks to Buddha’s peaceful Doctrine. The 9000 Lights Festival takes place in the evening of December 31st every year at Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock). It is when the locals and pilgrims devote light 9000 lamps to welcome the New Year and to give thanks to Buddha’s peaceful Doctrine.
And the festival which you mentioned, it takes place throughout the country in October, named the Thadingyut Festival or also known as the Festival of Light. Please don’t misunderstand between them.
Best,