The most popular festival held in the Shan State is the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing, also known as the Festival of Lights, which usually happens around November.This festival is not only lighting festival but also celebrates religious activities. 

During this festival Myanmar Buddhist people celebrates offering ceremony of robes to the monks and paying a greater attention to the needs of the monks. At night, there are variety pattern of lights on houses and pagoda platforms. In every parts of the country, youths set off flying Lanterns (Balloons protecting a light against wind) and you can see many hot air balloons of varying shapes and sizes that are launched to the sky. In Myanmar, it is called “Mee-Bone-Byan”. It is a huge balloon made of way paper, Marajin Cloths and plastic sheets. In olden days Waso paper are widely used while in modern days plastic sheets are used. We filled the balloons with smoke from grease-soaked rag let at an opening the bottom. After getting enough smoke, the balloon slowly rises as everyone cheers, then floats upwards until only a flowing round flub of light is seen. More creative villager make balloons in the form of tigers, elephants and birds. The people make the balloons and set them off flying for offering the light to the Sulamani Pagoda in Tawadaintha Heaven, built by the King of Celestials Beings, and enshrined relic of the Buddha’s hair. Since the olden days; and people usually make different size of balloons with decorated patterns, in the form of birds, tigers and other desired forms.When we make the Balloons, first of all, take iron rim which 5.56 mm in thickness and 1½ feet in diameter for the upper part of the Balloon and the two rod of irons interest on the rim. At the centre of intersection on rod of iron is erected, so as to use as a balloon-hanger with strong rope. Later, put though the wooden pole or iron pole into the ring of strong rope which fix at centre of rim of upper part. Make again the same design of circular rim but smaller in size 12 mm thick to fix for the lower part of the balloon. At the centre of intersection an iron rod about 1½ feet is erected vertically. The rim must be small and stronger. This iron rod is covered with a grease-soaked rope to get the fire burning. After having arranged the upper rim and lower rim, take the wax paper is stick it to the iron of upper top, after making sure that it must be airtight. Similarly, the wax paper is struck tightly to the lower iron rim, leaving an opening at the bottom to let the smoke in. Take a good care to let the rod of iron with grease-soaked rap make the smoke inside the balloons. Then, filling with the smoke from a grease-soaked rag using fix or eight rod with the grease-soaked rag, let at an opening in the bottom. After getting a sufficient amount of smoke, the balloon started the floats and shake. Then only, it is time to filling smoke and set fire to rod of iron which is covered with grease-soaked rag. At that time, we have to pay a greater care to the balloon from damaging b the heat of the fire. After that, take off the wooden pole from the ring of the upper part of the rim. At that moment, lower part of the rim is held firmly by the 6 or 7 men and check the flame. After making sure that the stable condition of the flame is safe, people set off the Balloon-slowly. Finally, the balloon is found fill with clouds of smoke and floats upwards so high and drifted in the blue sky.

The festival falls between first to third week of November and lasts for five days. If you are travelling to Myanmar in November, make sure to witness this awesome event. Booking your hotel in advance is highly recommended, as the city runs out of accommodations very quickly due to the high number of travellers.