Inle region famed as a sea in the mountains has its beauty and popularity enhanced by Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.

They revered Buddha statues kept at Nan Hoo village in Inle Lake start their journey around the environs of the Inle in every Myanmar month of Thadingyut which from October to November.

There are altogether 5-heavily gilded images, which are collectively known as Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

The practice of Inle traditional one-legged rowing can also be seen here. There are at least 50 to 100 participants in each towboat, which are attached with ropes to each other.

It is a great pleasure to see that the barge carrying the images is moving forward in the wide surface of Inle Lake by the rowing of unison collective force of the towboats.

At that time, not only residents of the region but also pilgrims from all over Myanmar are already arriving in many small canoes and powered boats to pay homage to the images.

Along the entrance channel of Nyaung Shwe, traditional music is being played with long drum; we call Ozi, cymbals and clappers as a gesture of cohesive unity of nationals and how they treasure this meritorious deed offering in many ways to Lord Buddha.

Among the pilgrims, there is also a scattering of Bama, Shan, Pa-O, Palaung, Inn-thar and many foreigners.

While 4 of the images are on the annual tour to villages around the lake, are cannot be taken along on the tour and remaining at the original temple where it receives obeisance on behalf of the other 4 images with their replicas.

The 4 images on tour also take the replica of the image that remains of the temple. These golden images, which are so, encrusted with gilding, one cannot even see the original appearance are taken to 21 villages in the Inle region.

After the images are in Nyaung Shwe, there will be celebration of fun fair and trade fair in a festive atmosphere. Stalls selling local products are packed with customers. Throughout the 3 days and nights in Nyaung Shwe, a big crowd of natives and pilgrims from all over the country pray and make offerings with deep piety.

Great faith and generosity of this nation can clearly be seen as the saying goes " you divide half your earnings to charity" .