The historic Shwe Sayan Pagoda in Shwe Sayan Village, Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region, started its 75th Buddha Pujaniya Festival on March 5 (full moon day of Tabaung) and will last for 10 days until March 14.   

At the festival, a traditional Shan market fair is also being held with local food and products from Shan State including toys toddy palm-made counting beads, clothing and varieties of snacks.  

Preparations have been made for pilgrims to do meritorious deeds by releasing fish in the Dokhtawaddy River. There are over 800 shops at the festival—over 200 traditional Shan shops and over 600 Myanmar shops.

According to ancient historical records of Myanmar, big fish such as catfish come to pay homage to the pagoda during the festival. Visitors to the pagoda feed the fish that float along the river by the pagoda. Moreover, visitors usually gild the fish heads.  

The Shwe Sayan Pagoda is located on a hillock to the north of the Dokhtawaddy River that originates from Namatu-Thibaw in northern Shan State.

The pagoda was first founded by generously and affectionately known Mai Maw Aikary Devi Saw Mon Hla (Sao Mon Hla called in Shan language).