Tagu:

• Myanmar Calendar: First Month of the calendar
• No of Days: 29 Days
• English Calendar: 29th March – 26th April 2006
• Flower(s): Gant Gaw (Mesua Ferea)
• Main Festival: Thingyan (Myanmar New Year)

Thingyan: Thingyan or water festival is the most famous and popular festival in Myanmar. The actual word Thingyan means change: change from old season to new; from old year to New Year. In other words, Thingyan is a festival welcoming the Myanmar New Year, which follows immediately after Thingyan. The pouring of water, which takes place on a grand scale throughout the nation, signifies the washing away and cleansing of the old as well as invigoration and welcoming the freshness of the New Year. Goodwill, loving kindness and joy are true underlying spirit of Thingyan.

In addition to the pouring of water, Thingyan is also celebrated by performing religious and social work including keeping of Sabbath, paying homage at pagodas and monasteries as well as to monks, parents and elders; by bathing and shampooing the aged and cleaning up one’s home and surroundings. Thingyan in Myanmar is unique for its joyful spirit and it is a festival that should not be missed.

Kason:

• Myanmar Calendar: Second Month of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 27th April – 26th May 2006
• Flower(s): Saga (Champac Micheia)
• Festival(s): Water pouring at scared Bodhi Tree

Auspicious month for the Buddhists because there are four major events in the life of Lord Gautama Buddha. Lord Dipankaya Buddiha gave divine prophesy to the hermit Thumeda that the hermit would become Lord Gautama Buddha. In the Maha Sakarit year of 68 that babe Prince Siddhartha was born of Queen Maha Maya. In the Maha Sakarit year of 103, Prince Siddhartha (Bodhisatta), after six arduous years of practicing austerity as a recluse became enlightened and thus became Lord Gautama Buddha. In the Maha Sakarit year of 148, Lord Gautama Buddha entered Parinibana (Demise).

Also marked as Buddha Day.

Nayon:

• Myanmar Calendar: Third Month of the calendar
• English Calendar: 27th May – 24th June 2006
• Flower(s): Sabai (Jasmine)
• Main Festival: Religious Examinations

There are three counts in the month of Nayon. Farmers begin to ploughing their fields. On the full moon day of Nayon the Lord Buddha delivered the famous Maha Thamaya utta to the Devas and Brahmas of all universes. Religious examinations are held for the Buddhist monks.

Waso:

• Myanmar Calendar: Forth Month of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 25th June – 24th July 2006
• Flower(s): Myat Lay (Spanish Jasmine)
• Festival(s): Ordination Festival

Ordination Festival: The purpose is to recruit for Sangha the Priestly Order so as to promote and perpetuate Buddha Sasana from those who choose to remain monk for life and to impart Buddhist education and culture to those who stay in monkhood.

Wakhaung:

• Myanmar Calendar: Fifth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 29 Days
• English Calendar: 25th July – 22nd August 2006.
• Flower(s): Khatta Land Lily (Crinum amoenum)
• Festival(s): Casting lots festival, Taung Pyone Nat Festival

Tawthalin:

• Myanmar Calendar: Sixth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 23rd August – 21st September 2006.
• Flower(s): Yin Ma (Chukrasia Tabularis)
• Festival(s): Traditional Regatta Festival

Tawthalin month is known for regatta or boat races in Myanmar.

Thidingyut:

• Myanmar Calendar: Seventh Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 29 Days
• English Calendar: 22nd September – 20th October 2006.
• Flower(s): Kya Water Lily or Lotus (Belumbo nucifera)
• Festival(s): Light festival

Thindingyut: In Myanmar, Buddhist monks took a vow in which they would not leave the monastery during what is known as ‘wa’ period, stretching from July to October. Thadingyut means the end of lent when monks can go outside of monastery once again. At the same time, to commemorate the occasion of the return of Lord Buddha from celestial abode, a light festival is held as Thadingyut festival. In addition to illuminating the buildings with lights, small hat air balloons are released to symbolize the worshipping of the Sulamuni Pagoda in the celestial kingdom. In Shan State, elaborate and large hot air balloons are constricted in various shapes to compete each other. The festival in Taunggyi in Shan State has become throughout the country.

Tazaungmon:

• Myanmar Calendar: Eighth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 21st October – 19th November 2006.
• Flower(s): Kha Wei Ridged gourd (Luffa acutagula)
• Festival(s): Offering Kahtein robes to Buddhist monks

Tazaungmon: Myanmar celebrates the festival of lights a grand scale in the month of Tazaungmon. The festival predates the arrival of Buddhism in the country and was held as a mark of respect for heavenly Godies. Later, when Buddhism prevails in the country, Tazaungmon has come to mean the offering of lights to Buddha. During Tazaungmon festival that is held in Tazaungmon, the whole country is lighted with illuminations and musical and dance festivals are held, offering enjoyment to all.

Tazaungmon is also the month of Kahtein (Kathina) ceremony where robes are offered to monks. Although robes can be offered to monks anytime, the significance of offering Kahtein robe is that it is offered to the Sngha (all members of the Buddhist Order rather than to any individual monk or monastery, thus earning more merit.

Another famous and unique festival is the weaving the Ma-tho thingan. The word Ma-tho thingan literally has the meaning of a non-stable robe. The robe has to be weaved during the course of the night and then offered to Buddha. The most famous festival is held at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on the night of the full moon of Tazaungmon when four teams compete with each other to complete a robe for the four main Buddhist statues of Shwedagon. The looms used for making the robes are traditional locoms. The competitors are cheered on by crowds at suppuratees who enjoyed themselves very much in merry maleng. It is a festival of merit making as well as fun and enjoyment.

Nattaw:

• Myanmar Calendar: Ninth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 29 Days
• English Calendar: 20th November – 18th December 2006.
• Flower(s): Tha Zin orchid (Bulbophyllum Ouvicomum)
• Festival(s): Maha Pein Hne Nat (Ganesh God)

Nattaw: In Myanmar language, the word ‘Nat’ means spiritual beings-spirits and deities that deserve to be worshipped and respected. ‘Taw’ is a honoric term denoting respect. In other words, the month Nattaw means a period for worshipping ‘nats’ and many festivals are held throughout the nation. More recently, since early 1940s, Sasodaw Day (Writer’s Day) has been commemorated in Nattaw. It represents the festival honoring the literary circles in the country and held every year on a grand scale.

Pyatho:

• Myanmar Calendar: Tenth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 19th December – 17th January 2007.
• Flower(s): Khwa Nyo (Clematis Crabiana)
• Festival(s): Equestrian Festival and Tourney

Pyatho: Pyatho month correspond to January of western calendar. It is normally the coolest month of the year and is celebrated with sports and physical activity. In the days of Myanmar Kings, Pyatho is marked by the holding of Equestrian Festival, a kind of military parade of royal land forces including horses, elephants, chariots, foot soldiers. The festival consists not only of parades but also contests in horse riding, archers and other military fleets. In modern times, mass sport activities are organized. Since Myanmar celebrates it’s Independence Day on 4th January and in conjunction, festivals including grand ceremonies, exhibitions and sport activities are held every year.

Tabotwe:

• Myanmar Calendar: Eleventh Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 29 Days
• English Calendar: 18th January – 15th February 2007.
• Flower(s): Pauk (Butea Monospema) and Leh (Silk cotton tree) Bombax Malabaricum
• Festival(s): Bonfire Festival

Tabotwe: Tabotwe month (roughly February) is famous for Htamane Pwe. Htamane is a traditional Myanmar delicacy prepared with glutinous rice seasoned with various ingredients and condiments including fried sesamum seeds, coconut shavings and peanuts. However, the most important feature of the festival is the actual preparation of Htamane which is undertaken as a community effort. Htamane Pwe therefore provides a great social occasion participated by old and young men, women and children. It is a collective Endeavour enjoyed by all. The sticky rice is cooked in a giant iron pan in an open space. The sticky rice is strived by large ladles that required strenuous efforts from men to make the rice soft and pliant. Sometimes competitions are held to see who made the best Htamane, thus providing additional fun and excitement. Once ready, Htamane is offered to everyone to enjoy. Htamane Pwe can therefore be said to be festival where everybody can participate and enjoy in a community effort.

Tabaung:

• Myanmar Calendar: Twelfth Monk of the calendar
• No of Days: 30 Days
• English Calendar: 16th February – 17th March 2007.
• Flower(s): Tharaphi (Ochrocapus Siamensis) Pon Nyet (Calophyllum Inophyllum)
• Festival(s): Sand Pagoda Festival

Tabaung: Tabaung (approximately March) is the last month of the Myanmar Calendar. The traditional festival of Tabaung is the Sand Pagoda Festival. As the harvest has been completed, the farmers can take a rest and with money from their agricultural produce, engage in merit making by building Sand Pagoda which can last up to the next rainy season. Today, Tabaung marks the season of Pagoda Festivals all over the country the most famous being the Shwedagon Pagoda Festival in Yangon. During the Festival, pilgrims from all over the country come to worship while enjoying various kinds of food, stalls also surround the Shwedagon perimeters, offering carious merchandise including traditional arts and craft.