In Myanmar , people believe that there are many regional guardian spirits or Nats around the country. The word Nat cames from Hindu Language which means the guard. According to the legendary most of the kings, princes, princesses and heroes became guardian spirits or Nats when they passed away. People believe those Nats guard their richness and protect the entire dangerous situation because they are influenced the good or bad images of them. The music, song and dance of Nats is stood separately in Myanmar Traditional music because the music is emotional. Someone who hears this music and song, his nervous are stimulated and he will dance happily. The regional Nats festivals are celebrated the whole year and the whole country. Among them the most famous celebration is Taung Pyone Festival. Taung Pyone Nats is two brothers who were step son of King Anawyahta, the founder first Myanmar Emperor. They absented at the site of building pagoda that was built at Taung Pyone so they were punished by the King. After they were killed , they became Guardian Spirits or Nats. Taung Pyone is situated near Mandalay. It lasts eight days and usually falls in August. The festival is started in 8th of before full moon and ended the full moon day of the lunar month of Wagaung. The most crowded day is in 11th of before full moon because the two statuses are brought from the temple to the Irrawaddy River bank to wash. The essential things for worship are coconuts and bananas. Three or five bananas are put in the bamboo basket to form a hole and one coconut is fixed in the hole to become a Kandawpway and it is the symbol of respect. Therefore during the festival banana and coconut sellers can make large amount of money. They can stand the whole year only by this income. Another strange people are found at the festival they are called Natkadaw who connect between ordinary people and Nats. The strangest fact is most of them are gays. They dance, pray to the Nats for the people who pay respect to the Nats. They are the symbol of Nats festival. The Nat superstitious people believe that if they fail to go to the celebration, good luck will not become the whole year. Therefore Taunun Pyone celebration is more crowded year to year.
We LM Travel Myanmar want to invite you to come and enjoy the festival.