February 25, 2026
YANGON – The Shwe Saran Pagoda, an ancient and historic pagoda built by Saw Mon Hla in Shwe Saran Village, Pathein Gyi Township, Mandalay Region, is crowded with pilgrims from all over the country ahead of its festival in March 2026, according to U Thein Zaw, chairman of the Shwe Saran Pagoda Treasurer’s Committee.
“”This year, the festival is celebrated from the end of the month of Tapotwe before the festival. The roads are closed until the evening,”” said U Thein Zaw, chairman of the Shwe Saran Pagoda Treasurer’s Board of Trustees.
“”The festival hasn’t started yet, but it’s crowded with pilgrims from around the first day of the Tabaung lunar month. After the pilgrimage, pilgrims buy food at the market stalls. They also play in the water on the Duthawaddy River and take pleasure boats,”” said a female vendor from Shan State.
The market sells fish figurines made of palm leaves, palm leaf beads, clothing, various Burmese pastries, medicinal products from Shan State, and local foods.
The Shwe Saran Pagoda Festival usually begins on the full moon day of Tabaung.