Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is a notable religious site on Inle Lake housing five small gilded Buddha images. These figures are heavily covered in gold leaf to the point that their original forms cannot even be seen but are golden orbs.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is centred around these Buddha figures and will be held between 10 – 27 October. An annual celebration, festival dates vary from year to year as they are determined by the Lunar Calendar of Myanmar. During the festival, the four Buddha images are placed on a decorated royal barge and taken around the lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. A picturesque highlight of the festival are the boat races around Inle Lake. One of the biggest days of the festival is the day that the Buddha figures arrive at the town of Nyaung Shwe where many pilgrims and tourists with gather to celebrate and pay homage.
As this festival is mobile and lasts for a long period, please get in touch with us for up to date information on how you can join the celebrations.