This festival is our annual temple’s festive activity, we the people of Bagan have had to wait a full year to reach and participate in this colorful and exotic event. The long awaited days will be paid off at the end of a full calendar year. It is one of the biggest festivals in Bagan and Myanmar, and will be celebrated by all walks of life from nearby towns and villages.

People from Bagan have celebrated this festival since after the temple was completed in Bagan. Representing the endless wisdom of the Buddha, a month-long festival is held in Ananda temple, the finest architectural temple and one of the most sacred temples among over 2000 holy monuments. It usually happens in January. We celebrate it for almost a month but the most colorful and busiest day would be the full moon day of January.

Shwezigon pagoda is situated in Nyaung Oo. The name "Shwezigon" derives from the Pali word “Jeyya_Bhumi”.  “Jeyya-Bhumi”, literally translates to “the land of victory”, “Jeyya” meaning “victory” and “Bumi” meaning “land”. Shwezigon is a solid, cylindrical structure resting on three square terraces in the width of (160) feet and the height of (160) feet. It was built by King Anawrahta (A.D 1044 -1077) and completed by King Kyanzittha (A.D.1084-1113). It is the prototype of Myanmar Stupas. As it enshrined sacred relics of the Buddha Frontal bone, collarbone and a tooth, people believe that Shwezigon is the most venerated pagoda in Bagan.

This festival is celebrated in Myanmar for three days beginning from the day before the full-moon day of October, yearly.