Annual Ritual Nat Festival :Taung Pyone festival is held resoundingly

Yon Htoe and Htein Khote festivals were held resoundingly at the annual ritual Taung Pyone festival on 30th August in Taung Pyone village of Mandalay Region, upper Myanmar. 

The Taung Pyone Festival is one of the most well-known festivals among the people of Myanmar, held annually in honour of the Taung Pyone Nat brothers or the two brothers of Taung Pyone village. The Festival was held at Two Nat-Brothers Shrine. Yon Htoe festival or Hunting of the hares or rabbits is a ritual in remembrance of hunting rabbits by the two brothers during their lifetime. Htein Khote 'Felling trees' festival represents that the two brothers of Taungbyone and the local people disapprove of the other tree-guardian nat who caused the death of king Anawrahta according to legend.

Kyaw Win said " The tradition passes down from generation to generation and I have to serve it. Yon Htoe Pwe is held crowdedly and everyone is happy. People should have joyfulness as they have to try hard for food and living. I’m satisfied and pleased. "

A special ritual program is carried out each day during the festival period and the programs include homage to the nats or Kandawt Khan  Pwe, night meeting of the royal council or Nya Nyilar Khan , the ritual shower or Choe Yay Taw Thone , enthronement or Nan Tat Pwe , hare hunting or Yon Htoe  Pwe, felling trees or Htein Khote  Pwe, the good send-off for Pakhan nat or Pakhan Min Poe Pwe and the gilding of the statues or Shwe Pon Hsin . Devotees from all over Myanmar come to this special festival and offer their donations and enjoy themselves with the blessings of the spirits.

They pray for prosperity, reputation and good luck for the next coming year. The festival is held resoundingly for 9 days from 24th August to 1st September.