This event celebrated concurrently with annual "Ka-Htain" festival which fall on full-moon day of month "Ta-Saung-Mone", usually on mid of November.
In the past, it was known as only local event until early 90's, at the booming of tourism business, it become a one of the famous festivals in country.
In early history of Buddhist celebration of "Ka-Htain" in Myanmar, people will collect donations of rice, staple and saffron for the monks. And donors try to find a way to decorate pile of collection and transform those to representable figures (such as shape of bird, fish, etc...) prior delivery to respected monastery.
In the eve of "Ka-Htain" celebration they will perform a possession by going around the town, carrying or pushing the cart of decoration. This practice is quite common in every state and division of Myanmar.
What make Taunggyi's festival stand out from others is, apart from usual decoration of donation, it came with competition of night time hot-air ballooning.
Large balloons are either decorated with colorful lanterns figuring various shape or of loaded with sophisticated firework which will be ignited in the mid-sky.
These fireworks will go on and on over the night as various groups in the town are queuing to launch their best creation. Thus competition will extend for couple of nights as numbers of participating groups are assigned for their time-slot to launch.
Moreover, in day-time they also celebrate hot-air balloon competition in which balloons are figured in various shape and its up to imagination of local youth groups to create it.
Within week, participating groups are awarded in various categories with Gold, Silver or Bronze. Every year they will be trying for better results to retain current position or to climb higher.
If you want this festive time to coincide with travel plan, reserve an accommodation with travel agencies 2 months ahead. Because every year, increasing number of fans over the country making the lodging more difficult during this time.
So, if you don't want to be disappointed by missing this opportunity, please secure a hotel/inn booking in Taunggyi even before leaving for Myanmar.
In the past, it was known as only local event until early 90's, at the booming of tourism business, it become a one of the famous festivals in country.
In early history of Buddhist celebration of "Ka-Htain" in Myanmar, people will collect donations of rice, staple and saffron for the monks. And donors try to find a way to decorate pile of collection and transform those to representable figures (such as shape of bird, fish, etc...) prior delivery to respected monastery.
In the eve of "Ka-Htain" celebration they will perform a possession by going around the town, carrying or pushing the cart of decoration. This practice is quite common in every state and division of Myanmar.
What make Taunggyi's festival stand out from others is, apart from usual decoration of donation, it came with competition of night time hot-air ballooning.
Large balloons are either decorated with colorful lanterns figuring various shape or of loaded with sophisticated firework which will be ignited in the mid-sky.
These fireworks will go on and on over the night as various groups in the town are queuing to launch their best creation. Thus competition will extend for couple of nights as numbers of participating groups are assigned for their time-slot to launch.
Moreover, in day-time they also celebrate hot-air balloon competition in which balloons are figured in various shape and its up to imagination of local youth groups to create it.
Within week, participating groups are awarded in various categories with Gold, Silver or Bronze. Every year they will be trying for better results to retain current position or to climb higher.
If you want this festive time to coincide with travel plan, reserve an accommodation with travel agencies 2 months ahead. Because every year, increasing number of fans over the country making the lodging more difficult during this time.
So, if you don't want to be disappointed by missing this opportunity, please secure a hotel/inn booking in Taunggyi even before leaving for Myanmar.
