Thadingyut Festival is known as the festival of lights.
It’s celebrated at the end of the Buddhist Lent and held on the full-moon day of the Burmese lunar month of Thadingyut. At Shwedagon Pagoda, worshipers light thousands of candles and quietly murmur prayers, asking for forgiveness from all sins. Families also gather together at home, lighting candles on their balconies or outside of their houses. As the night progresses, there are displays of fireworks around town, and downtown there is even a sideshow alley with games and a large open market.
A young boy lights a candle. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
Two children gather in front of the candle display inside Shwedagon Pagoda. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
A lady kneels infront of a Buddha statue. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
Rows of candles being lit around Shwedagon Pagoda. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
Colourful lanterns and flower decorations inside Shwedagon Pagoda. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
A man surrounded by candles. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)
Shwedagon Pagoda lit up at night. (Photo: Libby Hogan / DVB)