Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan

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. 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 .