The annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Thadingyut Festival) is underway in the Inle region of Yawnghwe (Nyaungshwe) Township, organized under tight security by the military council and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), even as residents continue to struggle with flood and earthquake damage.

The festival, which began on September 22 and will continue until November 9, features the five sacred Buddha images from Phaung Daw Oo touring 21 locations, including Intein, Ywa Ma, Kyay Sa, Nyaungshwe, Tha Lae Oo, Kay La, Nan Pan Taung Kyaung, and Mong Thauk.

“There is full security. Soldiers are standing guard. There aren’t many tourists yet, but it’s busy with locals,” a young resident of Inle told SHAN.

The region was severely affected by flooding in 2024 and an earthquake in March 2025, which destroyed more than 3,500 homes across 30 villages. Nearly all local communities continue to face shortages of clean drinking water. Despite this, residents reported that households were required to contribute 10,000 kyat each to fund the festival.

Locals argue that authorities should prioritize rehabilitation and reconstruction over celebrations.

“We have experienced both floods and an earthquake. Many homes are still destroyed. It would be more effective to rebuild and restore the lake communities before holding the festival,” one Inle resident said.

Since the 2021 military coup, the festival has only taken place once, in 2023, when displaced people sheltering in monasteries were forced to leave to make way for the celebrations.