Flowers and Festivals In Myanmar (Burma)

May! The Dawn Of Hope

Special Massage for month of May
Relation between Nat and Humans

In 11th century King of Anaw Rahta of Bagan was converted to Theravada Buddhism, which Then became the official religion of Myanmar. In this time there were already in existence the worship of "Spirit" In Myanmar when we are speaking about "Spirit" we refer mainly to the "37" "Spirit" introduced since the time of King Anaw Rahta of Bagan. The way these "37" spirit came about to be is interesting as well as fascinating. With the passage of time there had been a lot of devilments, incorporation and correction on these "37" Spirits with Hindu Mythology but basically the number had remained unchanged.

Popa Great Spirit Festival
Popa is the main center of "Nat" (Spirit) you know, it is situated in the center of Myanmar and very close with famous city of Bagan. It is an extinct volcano lying right at the center of Myanmar; Mt Popa is worth a visit for various reasons. It has been long associated with guardian–of–the House and–Lord–Of-Great Mountain, the Popa queen mother and other spirits.

To visit Mt Popa means to experience Nat worship first hand

For the "Nat" believers, Mt Popa is the home for the "Spirit" and especially place for "Minn Maha Giri" which means Guardian spirit of the household. To worship this "Spirit" people hang a green coconut, which was wrapped in two pieces of red and white cloths with a long stalk. These two pieces of long clothes represents the headgear of the "Nat" and coconut represents the head of the "Spirit". It is said that this custom dates back to the 4th century during the early days of Bagan Kingdom. There was a famous black smith of great strength who was later burnt to death at the stake by power and orders of the King's who was jealous of his popularity. The black smith's sister jumped into the fire to die with him. Then they together became the "Nat". So that people do not offer burning things such as candles, incenses sticks, and other like this. And Then people do not offer Saga flower (yellow champak / frangipani) because he and his sister were died under that tree. People believe that they can protect from any kinds of dangers concerning with the house. If a member of house passes away the people from that house distract the coconut for seven days to let the spirit of the dead to stay in house.
Myanmar "spirit" folk and story are very interesting and fascinating.
However Mt Popa is a house or center of "Spirit" Minn Maha Giri and holds the festival to honor the "spirit" especially for him.

About the Mountain
• Nearly five thousand feet in height, the mountain is lush and green and beautiful, in stark contrast with the dry zone around it.
•The mountain comprises two parts namely the wineglass –Shape plateau (where the festival is held) and the main mountain.
•Having been a volcano, Mt Popa produces a kind of diamond of very poor quality called Popa diamond.
•The plateau is believed to be a favorite hunt of mythical supernatural beings like Weikzars and Zawgyees.
•Many trees have grown and thrived on the mountain since it was designated a forest reserve area.
•At present, it has become the oasis in the hot and dry central Myanmar.
•Mt Popa has another attraction that is , it has semi-tame monkeys which are allowed to roam the place unharmed.
•Popa is worth a visit especially when one of it's major "Spirit" festival is being held.
•At such time, the whole mountain is crowded with "Spirit" devotees, revelers, and curiosity seekers.
A well known writer is written :"Mt Popa is the coolness inside the heat, the green inside the yellow, and the high among the lowlands.

We would like to add that it is the extraordinary inside the ordinary.
If you want to continue your journey to Bagan Please you just visit to (the Glory Of Myanmar (or) Bagan)