But unlike the majority of Buddhas, the image here is covered in hundreds of thick mounds of gold from neck to toe a result of male devotees adorning it in layer upon layer of gold leaf. The Mahamani Pagoda in Mandalay is revered for having an enormous gilded Buddha.

Mahamuni Pagoda Festival – January/February – Mandalay

These performances – to the backdrop of crashing cymbals or thrumming tabla – are all in a bid to win the award for the best costume or dance. They contort this way and that, shake their heads, patter their feet, and run forwards and backwards to eschew the grasp of an “elephant tamer”. Instead, dancers wearing ornately decorated bamboo and papier-mâché elephant costumes take to the stage in pairs to perform routines. This festival, held at the end of Buddhist lent, is one of the more eccentric in Burma. Dancing Elephant Festival – October – Kyaukse near Mandalayįear not, no elephants are harmed in the Dancing Elephant celebrations.

Enthusiastic crowds huddle together for a joyous parade, only parting to whoop and cheer as elaborately decorated papier-mâche animals and life-sized mythical figures rise above thumping stereos and shady umbrellas.ĭo as the locals do and snack on complimentary rice cakes and pickled water melons. This three-day festival outside the Manuha Pagoda is one of the calendar’s more unusual and spirited. Ananda Pagoda/Temple Festival – December/January – Bagan Spectators sit back to watch performers take to a huge stage, and throngs of people from all walks of life mill around beyond from pink-robed young nuns, to gaggles of teenagers wearing thanaka paste, and elderly worshippers in longyi and leather sandals.įairy lights and lanterns are strung between trees, neon lights cast a glow over the stalls, and flashing Ferris wheels turn well into the night. As night falls, the scents of joss sticks and street food fill the air, and the space transforms into something akin to a music festival. It certainly breaks from tradition in the evening though. As the sun goes down, visitors light candles, sit cross-legged and pray quietly in the midst of the surrounding hubbub. Ritualsĭuring the day, there are processions (quiet but for gentle gongs), and groups of pilgrims that arrive to circle the pagoda, pausing to pray as they pass. Pilgrims travel from all corners of the country to make offerings and light a sea of candles at its base. Where else to begin than at the biggest and boldest of them all? The gilded Shwedagon Pagoda in the city of Yangon plays host to one of the largest Buddhist festivals in Burma. Shwedagon Pagoda Festival – March – Yangon This isn’t a comprehensive list, so don’t fret if your holiday doesn’t coincide with any of them wandering around the pagodas is always special, and you may well stumble on a local tradition or two.

Buddhism elephant festival