Thingyan Festival or Water Festival is always held to water in the Myanmar New Year. All the national races of Myanmar are taking part in this festival without spoiling traditions.

All the misdeeds of the past year are cleared out by throwing each other with water, and by performing good-deeds. The Rakhines, one of the nationals of Myanmar, also celebrate the water festival in their own traditional way. The Rakhines celebrate their Water Festival in three parts. They are the Sandalwood sprinkling festival, cleansing Buddha’s Images and the water throwing festival.

According to the Rakhine Tradition, before throwing each other with water, they cleanse the Buddha Images with scented water, in the morning of the first day of the Thingyan Festival. Rakhine State is situated along the coastal region, and is abundant with rivers and creeks. The distinct custom of the Rakhines is that they fill water into boats and throw water on each other. Before throwing water, the boys have to ask for permission from the girls’ guardians to throw water on them. If permission is granted, the boys throw water on the girls from the designated place outside the pandal.

At the time of Myanmar New Year Festival, you will also be able to study the traditional customs of the Rakhine people who are happily celebrating this joyful water festival.