October 17, 2024 is Myanmar’s annual Lighting Festival. The Lighting Festival, also known as the “Festival of Lights”, is the second largest festival after the Water Splashing Festival and the New Year. It is held on the 15th day of July in the Burmese calendar (mid-October in the Gregorian calendar) every year. In Shuigou Valley Asia-Pacific City, everyone is bathed in the light of love, and more than 100,000 people are intertwined with laughter and joy, feeling the cultural atmosphere of traditional festivals together.

In the early morning, the first ray of sunshine slowly rose. According to traditional customs, villagers came to Shwe Kokko Temple to bathe the Buddha, lay flowers, light lamp oil, and pray devoutly in front of the compassionate and solemn Buddha statue, praying that the Buddha’s light would shine, Shwe Kokko YaTai would be peaceful and stable, and the weather would be smooth. A bumper harvest. Pray for the protection of the Buddha, that the people will be safe from disasters, that every family will be prosperous and healthy, and that the family will be happy and safe. As the Lantern Lighting Festival approaches, there is a bustling crowd of believers worshiping the Buddha and making wishes.

At night, all kinds of beautiful lanterns and beautiful candlelight can be seen everywhere, and everything in front of you is decorated into a sea of ​​lights.

All the residents of Shwe Kokko YaTai celebrate the “Lighting Festival” together regardless of each other. During the festival, they hold activities such as chanting sutras and worshiping Buddha, presenting flowers and food, and giving alms to all living beings. They light up thousands of lights and make good wishes come true! I pray that Shwe Kokko YaTai will be prosperous tomorrow and in the future, and that the people will live and work in peace and contentment, with good fortune and good health!

Under the bright starry sky and dim lights, looking at the bright smiles on the faces of the residents, I deeply feel that happiness comes from the heart. Shwe Kokko YaTai is based on the people and cares about people’s livelihood. The beautiful picture of happy and peaceful residents’ lives and social harmony is slowly unfolding in Shwe Kokko YaTai.