Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan

Loading the video No Comment Video. Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 27 October 2026 - 16:57 GMT+1 Hundreds of glowing lanterns floated into the night sky above Bagan's ancient pagodas. Thousands gathered to celebrate Thadingyut, Myanmar's Festival of Lights marking the end of Buddhist Lent. Families released paper lanterns over the centuries-old temples, while devotees travelled from across the country to pray, make offerings and take part in the three-day celebrations, held from 25 to 27 October. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT For the first time, Bagan hosted an official Sky Lantern Festival, organised by the military authorities' tourism department. Around 1,000 lanterns were released each evening above the UNESCO World Heritage site to attract visitors. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Thadingyut marks the end of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period of religious observance during the rainy season. The festival commemorates the Buddha's return from the celestial realm after teaching his mother, traditionally celebrated by lighting candles and lanterns. It is also an occasion for family reunions and honouring elders. Myanmar light festival Buddhist Tradition Top stories Now playing Next Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan Now playing Next Turkey: tornado kills at least four workers at Antalya construction site Now playing Next Ukraine: firefighters battle flames and rescue dog from Kyiv ruins Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 27th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next 'Unacceptable violation': Syria condemns Jordan airstrikes Now playing Next Finland's puppy livestream grips millions worldwide Now playing Next Mbappé apologises for 'ill-judged' joke about China's Mao Zedong Now playing Next 2.92-metre monster fish: German angler lands giant catfish from Polish reservoir Now playing Next EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe Now playing Next Israel votes on Netanyahu's future as Orbán is floated for UN chief Now playing Next Ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv Now playing Next 'Democracy has won': Europe welcomes Lula's surprise victory in Brazil Now playing Next Tashkent modernism enters the UNESCO World Heritage List Now playing Next To the moon and beyond: Astronauts Chris Hadfield and Victor Glover on why the 'New Space race matters Now playing Next Finnish and Norwegian leaders call Putin, urge restart of peace talks Now playing Next From Baku’s waterfront to the Greater Caucasus: a new winter destination within reach ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Israel: October 7 families remember victims as voters head to polls No Comment France: crowds fill Marseille's Old Port in anti-racism protest No Comment Russia: flames engulf buildings after Ukrainian drone attack in Voronezh region No Comment UK: Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins in central London Europe Today Win or lose, Netanyahu could remain in power for months after Israeli election as Iran tensions loom Israel Israelis head to polls in first general election since 7 October attacks with no clear favourite World News Trump calls Norway a ‘shithouse country’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub Europe News Harry Kane is first Bundesliga player since Matthias Sammer to win Ballon d'Or Art Scientists uncover new clues to the actual night sky behind Van Gogh’s The Starry Night Europe Today Europe Today: Israel votes on Netanyahu's future as Orbán is floated for UN chief EU News Ukraine's €70 billion shortfall could make or break the next EU budget Ukraine US-brokered ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Turkey-Libya maritime boundaries deal 'remains null and void,' Greek foreign minister says Brazil Trump says Brazil election looked 'rigged' without giving evidence Venezuela María Corina Machado seeks talks with Delcy Rodríguez after return from exile EU News Exclusive: EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe Business Cyprus signs $1.8bn deal to develop first gas field, with exports to Europe via Egypt Europe Today 'Yes Bibi or No Bibi': Netanyahu's political future overshadows Israel's election Culture news The architectural heritage of Greece's Kea island: Vibrant colours, stone houses and watermills Smart Regions Olive trees irrigated with treated wastewater, a pilot project to combat drought ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT