Yangon, Myanmar. Friday, 10th October 2003
Yangon is currently celebrating the Myanmar Festival of lights. This is observed to mark the return of Buddha to earth and is celebrated by lighting up, just as it was done to show Buddha the way back, then. The concept is similar to the Indian festival of lights- Diwali- said to be celebrated to mark the triumphant return of Rama after vanquishing Ravana. However, unlike the Indian Diwali which falls around the new moon, the Myanmar Thadingyut is celebrated on a full moon day.
As opposed to the Indian celebrations which are more sound and less light, the festival here is thankfully more light and hardly any sound! Homes, hotels, restaurants and Government buildings are brightly lit by lamps, candles, electric bulbs; and some homes even have a string of colourful lanterns hung outside their balconies. People visit pagodas and pray to the Buddha.
Today, I fulfilled my longstanding wish of visiting my favourite spot in Yangon on a full moon night- Inya Lake. I had longed to see the magic of moonlight on the still waters of the picturesque lake; and wasn't disappointed. It being the festival, I was in for a bonus! There were crowds of enthusiastic youngsters at the lake, engaged in an interesting occupation - the releasing of lanterns into the night sky! The lanterns are actually small hot-air balloons and make a spectacular sight, as one by one each balloon is lifted by the hot air which takes it higher and higher, slowly. Each resembles a twinkling star and soon the Yangon firmament is dotted by these stars. Simply divine !
I now look forward to celebrating the Indian 'Thadingyut' with family, at Nashik.