Set in and around the picturesque stilted villages of Inle Lake, the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is a significant religious and cultural event in Myanmar. Typically spanning three weeks, the festival usually takes place in October.
The festival is centered around the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which is one of the most revered religious sites in the country, known for housing five ancient Buddha images that are believed to have been brought to the area in the 12th century. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and participation by the local community and other visitors. Pilgrims from all over come to pay homage to the Buddha images and gain merit while enjoying the festive celebrations.
Boat Procession with Traditional Music and Dance
The highlight of the festival is witnessing the boat procession on Inle Lake. The Buddha images are placed on a grand, elaborately decorated barge shaped like a Hintha bird and then paraded around the lake. Over the years, the Buddha images have become so covered by gold leaf that it is difficult to recognise them.
The barge is usually accompanied by a flotilla of boats, and people from nearby villages come to pay their respects and witness the procession. The locals involved in pulling the barge row in a unique fashion with their legs, a method designed to aid endurance.
Other Highlights, Activities and Experiences
- Vibrant traditional boat races and rowing competitions make for a wonderfully visual spectacle. These races attract teams from different villages around the Inle Lake region.
- Experience Myanmar’s cultural heritage through traditional music, dances, and crafts.
- Sampling the diverse and flavorful local cuisine. Try local dishes and snacks at the festival, which might include a variety of traditional Burmese foods from tasty curries and fragrant rice to unique desserts.
- Inle Lake Boat Trip. Take a boat trip to explore some of the many small villages around Inle Lake, connected by meandering canals. You’ll see the unique leg-rowing fisherman perched on their boats to get a bird’s eye view of the fish in the shallow waters below. You may also be able to visit some of the villagers in their homes above the silk and cotton weaving looms where they work.
- Visit the stilted villages by traditional canoe. Take an atmospheric sunset excursion from Mine Thauk Village where you will board a wooden canoe. Your rower will guide you through the canals, among the stilt houses and floating gardens of the Intha people who live on the lake. Many villagers will greet you from their houses and boats as you explore the backwaters.
Our DMC in Myanmar has the local knowledge and connections to give you a truly authentic experience. We will guide you during your visit and take you to the best locations to join in the festivities. Let our specialists handle all aspects of your visit and unveil the essence of Myanmar as you experience our culture, history, religious traditions and local ways of life.