Thadingyut Festival of Lights 2024 in Myanmar

The Thadingyut Festival of Lights is held on the full moon of Thadingyut in October, marking the end of Buddhist Lent. The three-day festival during Thadingyut symbolizes the return of the Buddha from heaven while angels are lighting the path of his descent to earth.

Full Moon Day Celebration

During these days, pagodas are crowded with people. The country is covered in colored lights and candles to welcome Buddha’s descent from heaven. The streets are full of people strolling through the markets and food stalls. They celebrate this time with traditional open-air performances and concerts. A common tradition of the festival is the lighting of candles at the country's pagodas, which make for a majestic sky against the jet-black night sky.

It's the end of Buddhist Lent, and it means there is an abundance of music and dancing everywhere. It is not only a time of joy but also of gratitude, paying homage to teachers, parents, and elders and asking pardon for any committed misdeeds. Thadingyut also marks the beginning of the Kathina celebration, which lasts until November. During this period, believers bring offerings to the monasteries, including robes, books, religious teachings, soap, and other things. New robes are also given to honor some of the most devoted monks.

Places to Witness Thadingyut Festival

The celebration can be experienced at its most splendid in Yangon or at Inle Lake. Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is 99 meters high and offers magnificent sights of the festival due to the golden-plated dome located in the square. The landmark is also known as "the crown of Burma." The Inle Lake, on the other hand, is home to Ywama village, which sits on top of the lake bed. Most houses in the village are built several feet above water, with poles supporting them, which makes it seem like they're floating. The Phaung Daw U Pagoda is situated in Ywama village.