Ready for a meditative & transcendental retreat in the backwaters of Southern Myanmar? The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is right around the corner, and there is no better opportunity for a spiritual cleanse. Happening annually around October in the seventh month of the Burmese lunar calendar, this three-week festival is celebrated on the picturesque & captivating Lake Inle, nestled in the Shan state of Myanmar. The festival is a Buddhist religious procession where Images of Lord Gautam Buddha are taken from the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and circulated across the towns and villages lying on the banks of the Inle Lake on gilded barges, which worshippers welcome with great devotion & love.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival History
Phaung Daw Oo (‘oo’ or ‘u’, used alternatively) Pagoda is located in the Ywama village on the banks of Lake Inle. A pagoda is traditionally a Buddhist monastic sanctuary or a Stupa used for meditation, teaching, and archival purposes. The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda meaning “principal royal barge pagoda” has a pier right outside on Inle Lake and is the starting point of the festival. It is believed that the images of Buddha carried around the country on barges were first brought to the pagoda in the 12th century by King Alaungsithu, a great follower of Buddhism. As such, the relics at the temple are more than 800 years old.
The tradition of publicly displaying these images in procession started in the 18th century, and since then, the festival has evolved around this practice. People from Myanmar and abroad visit the procession and seek blessings from Lord Buddha. The festival lasts 18 days, starting on the first day of the waxing moon and continuing to the 3rd day after the full moon of Thadingyut month. Falling in October usually, during this period, a certain liveliness and enthusiasm can be felt in the air as the festivities of this cultural extravaganza take place.
Also Read: Myanmar Festivals
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Image Credit: Jakub Hałun for Wikimedia Commons
With Burmese architectural style, this Buddhist pagoda is one of the most ecclesiastically significant places in Myanmar. The pagoda houses 5 golden relics or images of Buddha. The images range from about 9–18 inches tall. Originally much smaller, the images grew in size as devotees participated in the ritual of covering the idols in layers of gold leaf. This way, the images have reached a point where they became unrecognisable from their original form. Mostly solid gold now, the images became too heavy to care for and transport during the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda festival. Therefore, in 2019 the ritual of adding thin sheets of gold to the images was put to an end.
During the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival Myanmar,, four of the five relics are taken out for the procession. This has an interesting story behind it. Up till the 1960s, all five were carried around the lake, but then one year, a barge capsized and the images fell into the lake. The villagers were only able to retrieve four of the five idols, and the fifth one was believed to be lost. When the procession finally reached Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, they discovered that the fifth idol had miraculously appeared in the pagoda on its own. Ever since then, the fifth idol has been a permanent fixture of the pagoda, standing ‘guard’ to their original resting place, and only four are part of the journey on the Inle Lake.
Relics On The Lake
Image Credit: Gerd Eichmann for Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Karaweik gilded barge that carries the four idols is towed by two longboats which are manned and rowed by hundreds of leg-rowers dressed in vibrant & colourful costumes. Leg-rowing is a unique technique where the paddle is moved with one’s legs – one leg wrapped along the oar. The Royal barge shaped like a mythical bird stops at 14 villages around Inle Lake, where the images stay in the main monastery for one night. A flotilla of boats from the surrounding villages creates a spectacular sight. The festival also includes various boat races where participants from various hill tribes and villages come to compete in longboat races and display their prowess.
Buddhist prayer flags and lots of flowers mark the occasion. Villagers also bring a red cloth to temporarily cover the relics in and take them back and place it on their home altar to earn merits and as a token of respect for the Buddha. Captivating folk dances are performed and folk songs are sung by men & women during the festival. The atmosphere is carnival-like – abuzz with cheer and preparations which also include cooking traditional festive cuisine. You are sure to have a great time at the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.
Related Post: Festivals In Thailand
Things To Do While Attending The Festival
Image Credit: 3coma14 for Wikimedia Commons
Notwithstanding the wondrous celebrations of the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, there is a lot to see and explore here. Stroll through the streets of Ywama village, and marvel at the beauty of the other floating villages on Lake Inle. Visit floating markets where local craftsmen, traders and artists sell their wares. Bring back a pretty souvenir or a handmade trinket from your trip. This region is also well-known for its handwoven silk textiles which are exquisite and represent the rich culture & heritage.
Boating and Kayaking are favourite activities for tourists that can be availed throughout the year. Watching the sun set over Inle is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visitors come far & wide to Myanmar seeking answers to their spiritual dilemmas and find the meditative retreats healing and rejuvenating. One can also take cooking lessons here and learn to make traditional Burmese delicacies for yourself. Don’t forget to visit hotspots like Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, Indein Village and Market, Inle Lake Hot Springs, Floating Gardens, and more!
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival 2024 Dates
The festival takes place at the same time each year in the Burmese calendar. In the Gregorian Calendar, however, it falls somewhere in the months of October and November. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival starts on the first day of the waxing moon and continues till the 3rd day after the full moon of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. Thus, it goes on for a period of 18 days. The weather this time of the year is pleasant with a mostly dry climate and minimal humidity and rainfall. In 2024, the festival starts on the 3rd of October and will go on till the 20th.
Related Post: Things To Do In Myanmar
How To Reach Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Image Credit: Thomas Schoch for Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest airport to the Phaung Daw U Pagoda is Heho Airport in the Taunggyi District, Shan State of Myanmar. One can also reach the capital Yangon (formerly Rangoon), which is the primary International airport in Myanmar, and then travel round the country from there. Once you reach Heho (alternatively spelled He Hoe), you can avail a taxi or bus to the town of Nyaungshwe, which is the gateway to the Inle Lake on which the pagoda is located. The journey from Heho to Nyaungshwe typically takes about an hour.
By Road: Buses to Nyaungshwe are available from all major cities of Myanmar including Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan. It might take somewhere between 8 to 12 hours to reach the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda depending on the starting point. A great way to tour around the country is by renting a car and taking a road trip.
By Boat: From Nyaungshwe the journey ahead takes place on boats. Boat services are abundant and easily accessible. Your hotel or guesthouse can arrange one for you easily. A boat ride is a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. The journey is serene & rejuvenating and takes about an hour.
Tips For Travellers To Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
- Expect to find hotels booked early, so plan your journey ahead of time.
- The festival is free of cost, so beware of people asking for entrance fees or selling tickets.
- Delicious Burmese food is easy to find and you’ll easily spot street vendors, but make sure you don’t consume any allergens you don’t want to ingest.
- The schedule of the procession for all 18 days is released ahead of time online, so check that out to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the special events & occasions.
- October is the beginning of the dry season after the monsoon rains recede, therefore it can be quite hot and sunny outside. Don’t forget to carry sunscreen, sun hats, and glasses.
- You will find yourself standing still and walking quite a bit so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- As this is a religious festival first, make sure to be respectful and follow the code of conduct to your best knowledge.
- Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture a snapshot of the day. All the festivities including the costumes, royal barges, and the competitions are way too magnificent not to click them for remembrance.
You May Also Like To Read: Places To Visit In Myanmar
Myanmar, the land of the golden pagodas offers its visitors an experience like no other. Home to some of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, the spirituality here is contagious and imparts you with wisdom. Witness the grand celebration of Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival on Inle Lake with zeal and happiness. The traditional Burmese food, longboat races, sacred atmosphere, and festive folk performances make for memories that will last a lifetime. Plan your trip to Myanmar and rediscover yourself in the spirituality of Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Source: Facebook
Frequently Asked Questions About Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Where is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival celebrated?
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is celebrated in and around the stilted villages of Inle Lake in Myanmar. The celebration starts in the Ywama village where the pagoda is located.
What is the history of Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda?
The images of Buddha at the Pagoda have been taken out for a procession around the lake ever since the 18th century. Festivities, competitions, and celebrations evolved gradually around the religious ritual.
What is the famous festival in Myanmar?
One of the biggest festivals in Myanmar is the Thingyan or New Year Water Festival. Other popular festivals in the country are Thadingyut Festival, the lighting festival, and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.
What is the famous pagoda in Shan State?
The most popular festival pagoda in Shan state is the Hpuang Daw Oo Pagoda. Other notable mentions include Shwe Indein Pagoda and Kakku Pagoda.
What is Inle Lake famous for?
The Inle Lake is famous for its floating villages & markets, its scenic beauty & as an adventure sport site. The Inle lake area is also renowned for its weaving industry.
People Also Read:
Guatemala Kite Festival Tawang Festival Takayama Festival
Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.
