Myanmar Buddhists celebrate Thadingyut Festival on full moon of October. It is one of the major holidays in the country aside from Thingyan Festival which usually held on April, for this particular year, it falls on October 11 – 15. This festival is the commemoration to welcome the Buddha’s descent from heaven.
Many people flock to different pagodas to pray and do offerings. This is my second year to celebrate Thadingyut but it’s the first time that I visit Shwedagon Pagoda on this holiday celebration.
Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar as it is believed to contain relics of the four precious Buddhas of the present kalpa. Situated on Singuttara Hill, to the west of Kandawgyi Lake and dominates the Yangon skyline.
Thadingyut Festival is also known as festival of lights because it is believed that angels are lighting the path of Buddha’s descent to earth. People are lighting candles after offering prayers. It’s the first day of celebration when I visited so in the coming days, the whole vicinity of Shwedagon Pagoda including those floors will be filled with lighted candles.
Burmese light candles around Shwedagon Pagoda
Pouring water on the Buddha image in one of the planetary posts are believed to bring goodluck
Decorated with lights, donations and flowers
The end of Buddhist lent is also for thanksgiving and paying respect to elders, parents, teachers. Also a time to ask for pardon for any misdeeds committed to others. Thadingyut is not only stuffed with festivals but also an auspicious custom of remembering gratitude.
In the coming days, there will be more people in Shwedagon Pagoda and it’s a good thing that I was able to visit on the first day because the crowd is not that much, yet.
First night of Thadingyut Festival at Shwedagon Pagoda
Buddhist monks
It is believed that Buddha’s teeth relic is inside this shrine
Media Filipina with Buddhist monks
If you’re a foreigner who’s planning to visit Myanmar on Thadingyut Holiday, make sure to include Shwedagon Pagoda in your itinerary.
There are some things you need to keep in mind when visiting:
Any footwear is prohibited. Even socks. You need to remove your shoes or slippers before entering. When I say entering Shwedagon Pagoda, it means from the very first step of the stairs OUTSIDE! Don’t worry you can bring them along. Just bring extra plastic or paper bag.
One of the main entrance of Shwedagon Pagoda
Admission Fee. Pay 10,000 kyats at the main reception to get your entry sticker and guide map.
Strict dress code. Both men & women are not allowed to wear shorts or skirts and sleeveless. There are longyi’s available for rent. I recommend on buying your own longyi at Bogyoke Market so you can choose your own design and it’s a good souvenir too!
Media Filipina with Filipino friends
Wishing abundance, peace and happiness to everyone!
Happy Thadingyut Festival!
Jing De Jesus – Gio is the one behind Media Mom Manila, a Filipina TV Producer. A career-oriented woman from media industry who’s a mom and wifey in between. Multi-tasking at its best, just like how she does on programs. While tv production is her expertise, blogging is her passion.
