The Taunggyi Tazaungdine Festival in Taunggyi, Shan State (South), has been celebrated as a competition since 1312 ME (1950 AD). During the hot-air balloon festival, competitions are traditionally held in two categories: daytime balloons and nighttime balloons.

The balloons released in the daytime are especially the toys (two or four legs), and the nighttime balloons are Nyameegyi (balloons with fireworks) and Seinnapan (decorated with candles). Visitors across the nation come and enjoy the festival happily and peacefully.

This year, the Taunggyi Tazaungdine hot air balloon festival was started on 29 October in Awayya ground, and the contestants, companies and other participants from the vicinity areas of Taunggyi participated in the event with dance, and there are about 250,000 people daily during the festival days.

A total of 25 22-foot-high Nyameegyi, 18 25-foot-high Nyameegyi, 37 18-foot-high Seinnapan, totalling 80 balloons, whereas 193 two-legged balloons, 93 four-legged balloons, 75 balloon groups, totalling 361, will be launched during the festival. The daytime schedule is from noon to 4 pm, and the nighttime schedule is from 6:30 pm to the end of the festival.

The festival also features music concerts, traditional dance performances, the Kathina festival, the Matho robe weaving event and the lighting festival.

Although the Taunggyi Tazaungdine festival was scheduled from 29 October to 5 November, the festival period was extended to further three days until 8 November due to the current weather conditions.

MNA/KTZH

#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar