Mann Shwe Sattaw: The Festival of Joy in Myanmar

Shwe Sattaw: The Festival of Joy

Myanmar Burma is known as the festival land. With countless Pagodas scattered among the beautiful landscape of Myanmar, there are equal number of festivals too. The Shwe Sattaw (Buddha’s footprint) is the unique Pagoda festival in the middle of Myanmar.

Shwe Sattaw is located beside Mann Stream and called Mann Shwe Sattaw at 32 miles from the MaGway. As expected, the Ayeyawaddy River too is nearby. The Shwe Sattaw wildlife sanctuary which is locaed between Mann and Mone Streams, it is established in 1940, June 29th and especially intended for Myanmar Golden Deer. In accordance of 1998 inventory, the population of Myanmar Deer is increasing and there you can see some wild bear, wild dog, leopard, gaur, barking deer and and some species of primates and various kinds of birds also.

Mann Shwe Sattaw Pagoda Festival is held every year between February to Middle of April and during this time; the whole place is flocked by religious pilgrims from across the Myanmar. The place can be reached by a road along the Yangon-Pyay highway. It further takes you to Pathein-Monywa road from Nawaday Bridge and until you reach the holy spot.

Once at the Pagoda, you will see two Sattawyar (footprint). The upper one is located on the hill with the footprint of Lord Buddha and a lower Sattawyar, where is situated another footprint of Lord Buddha.

To reach the two places, there are two ways. The older people prefer the road, which takes them easily to the hill. However, there is also a staircase which is preferred by the younger generation. This is a treacherous terrain. At the top of this staircase when you reach the holy spot, you also get a panoramic view of the whole place. In spite of the crowd, there is a lot of peace in the surroundings. If you go to east direction, MoteSoe Du Htauk Image can give you a glimpse of the green surroundings.

At the same time, the lower Sattawyar is active with Buddhist to worship and praying.

Beside the Mann Stream there are also stalls which sell various kinds of traditional handicrafts and herbs. You can also get to eat and rest in these stalls. At most, temporary bamboo housings are made for the visitors to rest or spend a night. The Pagoda festival is filled with life and fervor at each point.

An experience of a lifetime that you can be sure to take home will be taking a dip at the holy Mann Stream. The water is cool and crystal clear and it just refreshes you instantly. The bath soothes the tired body exhausted by the treacherous terrain.

The approximate time to travel to this area is March and you can witness this holy Festivals of Myanmar.