The Kason Festival:
A month after Thingyan is another water-related event - the Kason Festival that commemorates the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha when he sat under a botree. In Myanmar, the first bo-tree was believed to have been planted in Bagan during the reign of King Narapatisithu (1173-1210). It was in Bagan that "Watering of the Bo-tree" was first celebrated as an event, occurring on the full moon of Kason (May). Apart from rejoicing Buddha's enlightenment, the festival is also held in honour of his birth and death, for it was on the day of the full moon of Kason that the Buddha was born and later died.
All over Myanmar, there are processions of men and women making their way to local pagodas to water the sacred botree. Carrying water pots on their heads, the lines of people make up a picturesque parade indeed, as they are usually accompanied by a music troupe whose flutes, cymbals, drums and bamboo clappers add a note of gaiety to the festival.
One of the best venues to witness the Bo-tree Watering event is at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Worshippers start gathering in the early hours of the morning on the full moon day of Kason. Leaders dressed up as devas (spirit beings) or mythical demigods such as nagas and galons guide processions of followers carrying pots of scented water around the pagoda, and later the botree. Always walking in the clockwise direction, the worshippers chant verses in praise of the Buddha.
| May 1 |
May Day |
| May 6 |
Kason Fullmoon Day |
| May 16 |
Shwe-kyet-yet Event |
| May 13-15 |
U Shin Gyi Ceremony |
| May 17 |
Shite-thaung Festival |
| May 17 |
Danu Ceremony |
| May 17 |
Sand-stupa Festival |
| May 17 to 18 |
Mahathwanthara Ceremony |
| May 22 to 25 |
Guni Pagoda Ceremony |
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