Bodhi Tree Watering Festival

By Level 5 Students
Level 5 Students
01.Yoon Yati Lin

02.Lin Pyae Ye Yint

03.La Wun Cho

 What is Bodhi watering Festival?

At the peak of the summer heat, thousands of pilgrims across

Myanmar gather in the numerous Buddhist temples that dot
the landscape for the Bodhi Tree Watering Festival.

Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment sitting

in the shade underneath a Bodhi tree in Northern India some 2,500
years ago according to Buddhist tradition. As the Buddhist religion spread throughout
Asia, saplings were cut from the original Bodhi tree and planted on the grounds of monasteries
across the globe as living holy relics.

This ancient festival revolves around throngs of pilgrims pouring water on the roots of Bodhi trees
in numerous temples in a merit-making ritual that’s believed to date back to Gautama Buddha’s
lifetime. Throughout the day long ritual, Buddhists form long processions that wind between
multiple temples as they attempt to splash a few ounces of water on every sacred tree they can
find to celebrate Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment.
 When is Bodhi Tree Watering Festival?

The Bodhi Tree Watering Festival is held in May. Dates for

Buddhist festivals in Myanmar are chosen using an ancient lunar calendar, which uses
the phases of the moon to determine auspicious times for religious
ceremonies and events. If you’re interested in attending one of the Bodhi Tree
Watering Festivals held in temples across Myanmar, it’s best to
plan in advance with one of our Travel Specialists so the proper dates can
be confirmed for your luxury tour of Myanmar.

Bodhi Tree Watering Festival Highlights:

The reverent atmosphere that permeates the Bodhi Tree Watering Festivals held at temples
throughout Myanmar is a special treat cultural enthusiasts must-see.
During the summer month of May, pilgrims gather at pagodas
and temples throughout the country to water the sacred Bodhi
Trees. It is said that Lord Buddha gained enlightenment when he
was resting under a Bodhi tree. When the religion spread across
the world, Bodhi trees were planted in monasteries all over the
world by obtaining saplings from the original Bodhi tree. Each
tree is considered highly sacred and precious. During the festival,
monks and devotees water the roots of these living holy relics as
part of a merit-making ritual. They make rounds around religious
sites to water the trees as a part of the ancient ritual that has
been practised since Gautama Buddha’s time.
-By Level 5 Students