Balloon burma Festival in November

Also known as Festival of Lights or Full moon of Tazaungdaing, it is held on Tazaungmon – the eighth month of Burmese calendar (usually in November as western calender). This day marks the finish of the rainy season.

Full moon Festival is to honor the introduction of Buddhism in burma. On this day, robe-weaving competitions to create unique yellow monk robes named matho thingyan are held over the country during two consecutive nights (the preceding night and the full-moon night), most remarkable in Yangon’s Shwedagon pagoda. Contestants will work continuously from night to sunrise. These robes will be offered to monks in the Kahtain ceremony.

This tradition commemorates the well-known story about the Gautama Buddha’s life. Understanding that the Buddha would soon pass away, the Gautama Buddha’s mother, Maya, spent the whole night weaving yellow robes for him. Her sister Gotami (Buddha’s aunt) then kept on this tradition and offered new robes annually.

Nevertheless, the main significance of this festival is light, as tremendous suppose this festival has existed even before the introduction of Buddhism in burma, to honor the God of Light and the awakening of Lord Vishnu. Sparkle fireworks, fire balloons are sent to the sky and multicolored lanterns are lighted. It is also said that the Gautama Buddha would return to Tawadeintha on this day to go to his mother’s reincarnated spirit so people illuminate the path for him by lighting candles and lanterns.

In Shan state, long queues of citizen holding traditional lit lotus flower lanterns march on roads. Especially in Taunggyi, hot air balloons made from bamboo and mulberry paper are released on air as offerings to Tavatimsa, the heaven in Buddhist cosmology, or as a way to drive away evil spirits. This habit is also held in Naypyidaw (current capital) and Pyin Oo Lwin (near Mandalay).

Also on this chance, many people come back home to pay homage to elders. Almsgiving and charity consisting of sautuditha feasts are also common during this festival, regarded as merit-making activities.

Full moon activities in other places in Myanmar:

• Shwezigon Pagoda – Festival in Bagan, on the Full Moon Day, there is a ritual of offering a filled alms bowl to a thousand and more monks and novices. Lacquer ware, glazed pots and hand woven cotton blankets are sold by villagers living in the region at this fantastic country fair. (Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone Mandalay Region)
• Phowintaung Pagoda Festival, Location : Monywa, Sagaing Region of Mandalay. Duration : 2 days such as other pagoda festivals with the usual entertainment provided. Burma thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles (cotton blankets and longyis mainly) could be bought at the diverse stalls around the pagoda area. (One day previous Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone)
• Shwesandaw (Pyay) Pagoda Festival in Bagan, Shwesandaw Pagoda is one of Myanmar’s biggest Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the festival of this pagoda is one of the most visited festivals for pilgrims all over the country. During the festival, the sacred tooth hall which contains a Buddha tooth relic is opened for devotees. (Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone)
• Our suggested burma tour to relax those activites are: myanmar Insight tours with Balloon Festival in 15 days and Inle with Taunggyi Festival or contact to our team by dropping us a message at info@seawander.asia to customize our burma adventure to whatever you be able to such as.