Archive · 24 Sep 2025
Myanmar's Lake Festival Celebrated Amidst Difficulties
Imagine a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains where a special festival happens.
This festival is a big event in Myanmar, called the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.
A fancy golden boat carries statues of Buddha to different villages so people can pray.
People from a community called the Intha row boats in a unique way, using one leg to row.
This year's festival is extra special because it's been tough in Myanmar lately.
There was a pandemic and a civil war.
Even the lake got damaged!
But despite everything, people came together to celebrate, forgetting their troubles, even if just for a little while.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is held at Inle Lake in Myanmar.
A golden barge carries Buddha statues to 21 villages.
The Intha community rows boats with a unique style.
The festival was previously put on hold due to the pandemic and civil war.
The festival provides a respite from the country's difficult times.
- Who
- The Intha community and attendees.
- What
- The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.
- When
- Resumed in 2023 after disruptions.
- Where
- Inle Lake, Myanmar.
- Why
- To celebrate and transport Buddha statues.
- Event Name
- Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
- Location
- Inle Lake, Myanmar
- Purpose
- To transport Buddha statues to villages
- Key Feature
- Golden barge with Karaweik bird
- Participants
- Intha community
- Rowing Style
- Wrapping one leg around the oar
- Previous Disruptions
- COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 civil war, and earthquake damage