- Mid-April, usually 4 to 5 days
- Myanmar New Year
- Buddhist new year custom
Where it began
Thingyan comes from a word meaning change or transit, for the sun's move into a new sign of the zodiac. It is linked to the Hindu and Buddhist solar new year shared across South and Southeast Asia.
Legend says Thagyamin, the king of the heavenly beings, comes down to earth during Thingyan. He keeps two books: a golden book for kind people and a dog-skin book for those who misbehave.
How it grew over time
Bagan era
Water ceremonies at the new year are part of old Burmese tradition.
Royal times
Kings held a ritual hair washing, and the court celebrated with music.
20th century
Pandals, stages for music and water throwing, became a feature of cities.
Today
Thingyan is a national holiday period across Myanmar.
How it is celebrated in different places
Yangon
Pandals along the streets spray water on passing cars and crowds.
Mandalay
The moat around the palace becomes a centre for water play.
Monasteries everywhere
On New Year's Day people offer food to monks and wash images of the Buddha.
Thingyan moments
Thingyan today
Young people sing thangyat, witty rhyming songs, and dance on stages. Families make mont lone yay paw, rice balls with palm sugar, and share them with neighbours.
Many people free fish and birds, wash the hair of elders and keep the Buddhist precepts on New Year's Day.
