ASIA DMC Laos and Myanmar office closed to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent

Buddhist Lent or the “Rain Retreats” is one of the most important religious practices in South East Asia. The end of three-month Buddhist Lent is called Thadingyut in Myanmar and Boun Awk Phansa in Laos. It usually falls in October and has become the public holidays in many countries such as Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. 

Preparing for these festive days, Monks decorate the temple grounds with handmade paper lanterns, lights and candles, and local families do the same outside their homes. The Festival of Light is more celebratory with costumes and fire boat processions.

In Laos, the locals make ’Khatongs’, or little boats, out of banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense and release them in the evening to float down the Mekong River. Once at this beautiful 16th century built temple, the boats are lined up and a jury awards prizes to the most beautiful boats. After that, one by one, the boats are brought down the staircases of Wat Xieng Thong. Then they are dedicatedly put on the water and floated down the Mekong River among thousands of small individual banana leaf skiffs in a breathtaking sea of lights.

In Myanmar, around Full Moon Day of Thadingyut, the most interesting aspect is the caravan of bullock-carts in the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, one of the famous pagodas in central Myanmar. Some of the carts carry their village products, such as hand-woven cotton clothes and cane mats, etc, to sell them at the festival. They like to camp under the shady trees.

The end of Buddhist Lent will be celebrated on 5th & 6th October throughout Laos and 5th in Myanmar. Therefore, kindly be informed that ASIA DMC office in Luang Prabang and Yangon will be closed in these days. Touring arrangements will be operated as normal - ASIA DMC guides will advise guests suitable places and activities to join in. This time is a great period for traveling guests as temples are a hub of activity offering a glimpse of how the locals celebrate the traditions. 

Please contact our experts for more information.

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