
WAGAUNG (' Maha-Dok' festival)
'Wagaung ( August) is the month for what is called ' Maha-Dok' festival named
after a very poor man who became rich over-night for his offerings to 'Kas-sa-pa
Buddha'. On the festival day, a large marquee is built to place as many alms
bowls as there are monks (bikkhus) in the locality. People passing by
contribute what they can by putting alms into the bowls, which get filled up and
are finally distributed to the 'Sangha', and also the 'Sangha' ate assigned to
the donors, with the drawing of lots in both cases.
Taung-Pyone Festival
The festival of 'Taung -Pyone' (in August ) is a very peculiar and particular
festival that although Myanmar Buddhists ate not actually spirit worshippers,
thousands of country folks and townspeople alike flock to this yearly festival
of "Nats" ( Spirit Gods ) near Mandalay to participate in its joyous,
light-hearted merrymaking. the small Taung Pyaone Hill and surrounding areas had
been 'awarded' to the "Nats" as a special province of their own by Myanmar Kings
since the Bagan Dynasty in the 11th century. Once a year, festivals ate held to
honor these "Nats".