The annual Aok Taung Pyone Festival, a traditional celebration dedicated to the legendary Taung Pyone kings, is being held in Thaton, Mon State, drawing devotees from across Lower Myanmar.

The 11-day festival began on August 21, the eighth day of the waxing moon of Wakhaung, at the U Byat Wi and U Byat Aung Tha Pyae Nat Palace in Thein Chaung Win, Thein Kone Ward, and will continue until August 31, according to local organisers.

The festival features a series of religious and cultural ceremonies associated with Myanmar’s nat tradition. Events include the Aung Kai Taek and Nat Thabin ceremony, Nat Gyi Taek, Poppa Mae Taek, the bathing ceremony of the two kings, Pakhan U Gyi Taek and the Yone Sek Festival.

According to Eleven Media Group, the celebrations also include ceremonies on the 14th day and full-moon day of Wakhaung, followed by a boat-rowing festival, the Ma Shwe U Yakkan Khat Festival and a palace banquet.

The Ma Shwe U Yakkan Khat Festival, scheduled for the second day of the waning moon, is regarded as one of the most popular events of the celebration. Organisers say visitors are particularly attracted by performances depicting the two Taung Pyone kings and Ma Shwe U in human form.

Local tradition holds that the area is associated with the deaths of the Taung Pyone kings, Byatwi and Byatta, whose blood is believed to have fallen there. As the site is considered sacred, devotees follow specific customs during offerings, including presenting a rabbit-shaped golden banana instead of an actual rabbit.

Alcohol is also offered as part of the traditional ritual, although devotees are not permitted to consume it, according to festival organisers.

The Aok Taung Pyone Festival has been held in Thaton for many years and remains an important cultural and religious gathering. Devotees from Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin states are among those travelling to Thaton to take part in the annual festivities.

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