Yangon, March 26 (AseanAll)  — The New Year Sand Pagoda Festival will take place at Shwesandaw Pagoda in Twantay Township of Yangon Region,Myanmar on 17 April, 2024, the first day of the Myanmar New Year, according to Global New Light of Myanmar.

The festival will feature traditional Shan dance performances.

Located on the eastern platform of the Shwesandaw Pagoda, this year marks the 459th Sand Pagoda Festival.  U Sai Aung Sein Seng explained, “It’s an annual event where Shan ethnic groups from four Shan villages in Twantay Township come together to celebrate.  The Sand Pagoda, built jointly by these villages, is displayed for two days at the Shwesandaw Pagoda platform before being toured to Shan villages.  During the procession to the pagoda, locals perform traditional dances, and the same happens when they visit Shan villages.”

Residents of four Shan villages — Shansugyi, Nyaungdaga, Muelaman, Ngakhan and Masan — collectively gather sand to construct the pagoda, adhering to measurements set by the Shan Literature and Culture Association (Twantay).  The pagoda stands nine feet high.

The consecration ceremony of the Sand Pagoda will commence at 9 am on 17 April, with the participation of ten Sayadaws.  In the evening, a group led by the Shan Literature and Culture Association will visit the homes of the elderly in four Shan villages to pay respects.