The PyinOoLwin Tazaungdine lighting festival, hot-air balloon festival, and weaving competition of Matho Thingan (non-stale robe) are planned to be held on a grand scale on the full moon of Tazaungmone at Maha Arnthtoo Kantha Pagoda in PyinOoLwin, according to U Win Myint, a member of the pagoda board of trustees.
“The Matho Thingan weaving competition will start on 11 November, and the non-stale robes will be offered to the pagoda on 15 November, the full moon of Tazaungmone. The hot-air balloon festival will begin the day before the full moon in the hot-air balloon field near the pagoda, with fire balloons being hoisted both during the day and at night,” said U Win Myint.
The weaving competition for non-stale robes and the 9,000 oil lamps offering festival will be held on the pagoda platform. The non-stale robes will be offered to the pagoda in the morning of the full moon day, while 9,000 oil lamps are planned to be lit in the evening of the same day, followed by the releasing hot-air balloons in the parking lot to the northern archway of the pagoda.
At the hot-air balloon festival, revellers will be entertained by traditional dances, including the Toenaya dance performed to the melody of a Shan traditional drum troupe. — ASH/TH
