Atar Pot: Symbol of “Thingyan”, Myanmar New Year Festival

Thingyan is a New Year festival of Myanmar people and the festival begins on 13th April and it lasts for 4 to 5 days. Thingyan is changing of the Old Year to the New Year. 

Myanmar people usually usher Thingyan by placing Atar or Thingyan pots in front of their houses. Atar pots are good demand in the markets before Thingyan.

Yi Yi Kyaw, Seller said "This year, the price of the pot is 400 kyats and the flowers are 200 kyats, altogether 600 kyats. We are very pleased to celebrate Thingyan as we have to welcome the water festival with Atar pot and listen to parittas. I wish a happy new year to all Myanmar people."

Atar pot is filled with water and sprigs of seven kinds of flora representing seven days of the week such as coconut palm leave, Gantgaw, Khayay, plum, Ywet Hla, Myey Zar and Dan. Sprigs of Eugenia are also added because it is the symbol of victory for Myanmar people. 

Zaw Latt, Resident said "As a Buddhist, we usually place Thingyan pot at my house during Thingyan period as a tradition. Plum, Tamar, Ingyin, coconut palm leave and Myey Zar are put in the pot. "

Although the water festival could be held in the previous years because of COVID-19 pandemic, the price of Thingyan pot was high. The sales of Atar pots have been increased year after year. The sellers annually put on sale Atar pots together with Thingyan flowers as a tradition. They said this seasonal work supports the family welfares. 

Win Win Htwe, Seller said "We usually sell Thingyan pots because of our tradition. I sell the pots together with my mom. As now is a traditional period, we have a good selling. "

Placing Atar pot at the house is as a gesture of welcoming Tha Kyar Min, the King of the Celestials during Thingyan. Myanmar has celebrated Thingyan festival since the Tagaung period (1-10 AD) and became famous during the Bagan period (12 AD).