The annual Taungpyone spirit (Nat) festival returns for the fourth year in a row to Taungpyone Gyi village, located in Mandalay Region’s Madaya Township, on Aug. 21-28. Madaya is located 24 miles (38 km) north of Mandalay along the highways to Mogok and Myitkyina, the Kachin State capital.
One festival attendee told DVB that it there has been an increase in visitors this year compared to previous years due to performances by Sanyay Moe Myanmar, a traditional dance troop from Yangon.
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Madaya warned residents, and others from nearby townships, not to attend the festival due to ongoing “forced recruitment” by regime authorities. Mandalay residents told DVB that they are panicking following reports of plans to double conscription quotas starting in September.
The PDF in Mandalay, which operates under National Unity Government (NUG) command, announced in July that it will resume attacks against regime forces in Madaya after it was recaptured in January.
Local media reported that pro-regime forces in Madaya are demanding bribes ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 MMK ($1.80-6.90 USD) from visitors to the festival for entrance and parking fees.
Regime media reported that Myanma Railways has extended its routes from Mandalay city center to Madaya since Aug. 19, charging a ticket fee of 1,000 MMK ($0.23 USD) per passenger. It added that over 13,000 passengers have used the train up to Aug. 24.
The annual Taungpyone spirit (Nat) festival celebrates Myanmar’s traditional spirit worship. It attracts thousands of spirit mediums, according to organizers.
The festival was on hold from 2020-22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 coup. It has been held ever year since 2023, but in 2024-25 there were no public events due to fighting over control of Madaya between the PDF and regime forces.
