Thadingyut festival celebrated at pagodas across Myanmar

October 5, 2017

Pagodas across Myanmar were packed with devotees on the full moon of Thadingyut yesterday, as devotees celebrated the end of the Buddhist Rain Retreat, a holy period for Buddhists.

On this auspicious day, Buddhists perform meritorious deeds at pagodas and monasteries across the country.

In the evening, Buddhists light candles at pagodas across the country for the Thadingyut celebration to welcome the Buddha’s descent from Tavatimsa, a celestial abode, after preaching Abhidhamma to a deva who had been His mother in a previous existence.

Thadingyut falls on the seventh month in the Myanmar calendar, and the festival marks the end of the three-month long Buddhist Lent.

Festivals both large and small marking the full-moon of Thadingyut are commonly held across the nation.

During festival days, observant Buddhists usually go to pagodas and monasteries to pay homage to the monks and offer alms and offertories. Traditionally, it is also a time to pay respect to elders.

Locals flock to Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw

In Nay Pyi Taw, Buddhist devotees flocked to the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw.

Other famous pagodas and houses were decorated with multi-coloured lights in Lewe and Tatkon townships of the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.

Local people relaxed at Nay Pyi Taw Thatta Thattaha Budh Gaya, Water Fountain Garden, Nay Pyi Taw Zoological Gardens, Safri Park, National Races Village and hot springs.

In Mandalay Region, famous pagodas such as Shwekyeemyin, Sacred Tooth Relic (Mandalay), Maha Muni Buddha Image and Aungdawmu pagodas were crowded with Buddhist people, who placed flowers, fruit, water, oil lamps and gold leaf before images of the Buddha. Many congregants chanted religious verses. In the evening, various buildings in Mandalay City were illuminated with multi-coloured lightings.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar