Myanmar's Thadingyut Festival sees devotees light lamps to welcome Buddha

The Lighting Festival of Myanmar, is held on the full moon day of the Burmese Lunar month of Thadingyut. As a custom, it is held at the end of the Buddhist lent (Vassa) and is the second most popular festival in Myanmar after Thingyan Festival (New Year Water Festival). (Photo: AP)

A local traditional culture troupe competes with the Shwe Kyin light festival, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Bago, about 183 kms. (114 miles) from Yangon, Myanmar. Men and women from local traditional dancing troupes are taking part in the annual festival, made up of songs, races, and floating candles to celebrate at the end of Buddhist Lent. hadingyut festival is the celebration to welcome the Buddha’s descent from the heaven after he preached the Abhidhamma to his mother, Maya, who was reborn in the heaven. (Photo: AP)

Thadingyut, the seventh month of the Myanmar calendar, is the end of the Buddhist lent or Vassa. Thadingyut festival lasts for three days: the day before the full moon day, the full moon day and the day after the full moon day. A local traditional culture troupe competes during the Shwe Kyin light festival. (Photo: AP)

According to legend, Buddha descends from heaven on the full moon day itself. Buddha’s mother, Maya, died seven days after the Buddha was born and then she was reborn in the Trayastrimsa Heaven. (Photo: AP)

Men and women from local traditional dancing troupes are taking part in the annual festival, made up of songs, races, and floating candles to celebrate at the end of Buddhist Lent. During Thadingyut Festival, there are Zat Pwes (Myanmar musical plays), free movie shows and stage shows on most of the streets around the country. (Photo: AP)

An elder woman competes in a cultural performance during the Shwe Kyin light festival. During the festival days, Buddhists usually go to pagodas and monasteries to pay respect to the monks and offer food. (Photo: AP)

A woman performs in a cultural competition on a boat during the Shwe Kyin light festival, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Bago, about 183 kms. (114 miles) from Yangon, Myanmar. During this time, Buddhists usually fast on the full moon day. Young people usually pay respect to their parents, teachers and elderly relative and offer them some fruits and other gifts. (Photo: AP)

A local traditional culture troupe arrive to compete performance on boat during Shwe Kyin light festival, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Bago, about 183 kms. (114 miles) from Yangon. (Photo: AP)

A man releases paper lantern with tiny candle to float at Shwe Kyin creek during light festival on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Bago, about 183 km from Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar Buddhists lighted up the sky with fireworks and released paper lanterns down the creek in a ritual believed to bring good fortune during annual light festival celebrating at the end of Buddhist Lent. (Photo: AP)

A huge barge decorated with lights carrying a statue of Shin Upagutta, also known as Upakhut, is seen at Shwe Kyin creek during light festival Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Bago, about 183 km from Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar Buddhists lighted up the sky with fireworks and released paper lanterns down the creek in a ritual believed to bring good fortune during annual light festival celebrating at the end of Buddhist Lent. (Photo: AP)