Mandalay

Events

Traditional pwe (festivals), big and small, happen all the time, blocking streets or jazzing up pagoda precincts with all-night music and lively street stalls. Cycle around enough and you’ll likely stumble into one.

SPIRIT FESTIVAL

Mingun Nat Festival

(Feb/Mar) Pays homage to the brother and sister of the Teak Tree, who drowned in the river while clinging to a trunk. Fifth to 10th days of the waxing moon if Tabaung.

Taungbyone Nat Pwe

(Aug) This massive and camply chaotic festival is held about 12miles north of Mandalay honouring two famous Bagan-era nat. Celebrations culminate on the five days leading up to the full moon of Wagaung. A week later worshippers move on to Irinaku (Yadanagu) south of Amarapura.

Tadingyut BUDDHIST & ELEPHANT FESTIVALS

(OCT) On the full moon of Thadingyut, Myanmar’s lights-festival celebrates Buddha’s return from the celestial sphere. At the south base of Mandalay Hill, the big temples festival at Kyauktawgyi Paya builds for two weeks beforehand. One day before full moon, Kyaukse (25 miles south of Mandalay ) has its famous two-man elephant dance competition.