January - Pyatho
Pyatho is completely free from
rains. Just sunny days and cool. Ananda pagoda festival is held annually in January. This pagoda festival
is the biggest one in Bagan. People of near by villages come to Bagan by
bullock-carts and stay overnight at their carts. Bowls of alms filled
with crops are offered to over one thousand monks. In the western side
of Ananda are long winding rows of stalls wherein products of various
localities are displayed for sale: glazed earthen wares, boxes, baskets
made of cane, bamboo or palm fronds, hand-woven cotton pieces in bright
colours, pillows, cushions and mattresses, all things attractive, useful
and decorative. It is a good time for the people who Bagan and near by
villages.
Pyatho Festival
Myanmar is a Land of festivals since the day of Myanmar Kings. Every month, there is a major
festival to be celebrated. Pyatho is the 10th Myanmar month in the middle of the
cool season, from mid-December to January. It is the month designated for the
equestrian festival. Equestrian festival was held virtually the whole month, as
competitions in horsemanship, bowsmanship, lancing and swordsmanship, shooting
and martial arts were
involved. It was in effect an occasion to select heroes.
The Royal equestrian festivals were held in Palace grounds. The last monarch of
Myanmar in Yadanapon Era, King Thibaw did hole the festival watching it from the
special pandal built in the eastern stand.
The occasion commenced with the royal Pageantry. The grand scene of the marching
out in formation of the infantry, the cavalry and the elephants as the main
columns, followed by the rear flank in enactment of the procession of ancient
Myanmar Kings. The spectacular display was inspiriting patriotic spirit and
pride.
Once, Myanmar King has organized the equestrian festival not as an occasion for festivity but
to select men of valour for the defence of the nation. The King himself reviewed
the show.
Nowadays, National Independence Day coincides with the Pyatho festival and it is
one of the most auspicious months of the year.
Myanmar sustained its independence for millennium, but lost its sovereignty to
foreign domination in no time. However, all national races joined forces and put
up an armed struggle as soon as after Britishinvasion to regain sovereignty and
national independence for more than a decade.
There are bitter lessons not to be forgotten by the nation. Unlike the
olden days, Pyatho festivities are being held in the context of Independence
Day. Festivities are celebrated all over the country during this month.
Therefore, the month of Pyatho is not only to be remembered for the past glory
but also to remind us of the importance of national unity as investment.
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