Alms-Bowl Drifting Festival: Dawei traditional Alms-Bowl Drifting Festival held

The Thadingyut Lighting Festival is the second most grandly celebrated festival after the Thingyan Festival for Myanmar People. Alongside the Thadingyut Lighting Festival, the Dawei traditional setting Alms-Bowl adrift Festival, held annually in Dawei Township, Taininthayi Region, takes place. On October 5th at 6 p.m., in Dawei Township, at the public recreation ground near the Talingma ward by the Dawei Riverbank, the traditional ceremony is conducted with great festivity according to ancient customs.

First, the Region Chief Minister U Myat Ko, responsible officials and invited guests, along with local residents, lit the candles and lamps to devotionally offer to the Buddha. 

Following that, Chief Minister and officials officially open the Dawei traditional setting Alms-Bowl adrift Festival by cutting the ribbon and releasing large hot air balloon. The town's elders and local residents of Dawei collectively release 500 hot air lanterns simultaneously in a devotional ceremony.

Subsequently, the Chief Minister tours the beautifully decorated large ceremonial Alms-Bowl arranged by wards and villages, observes the offerings at the charity bazaar, and encourages the performances of Dawei townspeople through singing and theatrical plays to entertain the guests. The guests also present honorary awards and cash prizes in recognition.

The Dawei traditional setting Alms-Bowl adrift Festival was held on October 6th at 4 a.m. The Chief Minister and officials dedicated offerings and merit to the Ashin Upagutta Thera by setting alms-bowl adrift. Local residents of Dawei Township joyfully passed through Wingaba Road, performing the ceremony of setting alms-bowl adrift, praying, and making merit.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister awarded prizes to the first prize winner from the Thin-Baw-Seik ward, the second prize winner from the Oh-Loke ward, and the third prize winner to the Sweet December youth blood donor group in the beautifully decorated large ceremonial Alms-Bowl.

The Dawei traditional setting Alms-Bowl adrift Festival is customarily held annually on the full moon day of Thadingyut. Well-wishers and donors welcome visitors with refreshments, release hot air balloons, and entertain with traditional Dawei cultural dances, Dawei Alms-bowl adrifting festival dances, traditional Dawei dances, dramas, and songs. The Chief Minister, responsible officials and local people watch and support the event, it’s reported.