THE annual historic Yadanagu festival and the Popa Medawgyi Nat Festival, centring around the sacred pagoda built by King Mingyi Swa Sawke of Inwa, will be grandly celebrated starting from the 7th waning day of Wagoung (4 September), according to the pagoda’s Board of Trustees.
Regarding the schedule, a pagoda official stated, “The festival will officially open on the night of the 7th waning day. The ceremony for Popa Medawgyi is scheduled at noon on the 10th waning day.” According to the traditional schedule, the events will proceed stepby-step: 7th day – official opening; 8th and 9th days – traditional spirit dance performances; 10th day – the bathing ceremony; 11th, 12th, and 13th days – continuation of spirit dance performances; 14th day – the traditional Htein Khote Pwe and sending off the Medawgyi.
On the morning of the New Moon Day of Wagoung (the final day), a religious offering event will be held to dedicate alms and rice to Buddhist monks. Historically, the Yadanagu festival coincided with the peak of the Ayeyawady River’s seasonal rise, and visitors would travel around in wooden boats (Hngat Hlay). The ceremony was grandly celebrated on decorated rafts floating within the creek, making it a uniquely vibrant and historic festival.
TWA/ZN
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