Mandalay Lantern Market: Demand high this year in Mandalay

In Myanmar, Thadingyut festival also known as the festival of light is held annually in the month of October across the country. At the time, traditional Thadingyut lanterns have high demand in Mandalay, among them, locals mostly purchase and love rabbit lanterns now. 

Lantern Maker, Mandalay, San Ei Hlaing said "Here, we make lanterns with various designs – there are be about 16 kinds of lanterns. Rabbit lanterns are popular among children for the moment. Many kinds of design are created year by year. The latest designs are dusk, butterfly, angry bird shaped lanterns and so on. Rabbit lanterns have high demand because girls love them and are cheaper than others."

Lanterns prices are different based on the size and design ranging from 500 kyats to over 10,000 kyats.

Lantern Maker, San Ei Hlaing, Mandalay said "We distribute traditional lanterns to markets across the country, so, we make about 300 to 500 lanterns for a popular design and about 100 lanterns for expensive one. Big size of rabbit lantern is 3,000 kyats and 1,500 to 2,000 kyats for small size. In July, we accept orders and distribute in August."

Mandalay Traditional lanterns are distributed across the country and this year has high demand than the previous year. As the lantern makers in Mandalay, they create new designs and make the whole year to sell at the time of Thadingyut Festival.