The 26th Street to the south of the Mandalay palace moat will be closed to vehicular traffic during the Thingyan festival next month and turned into pedestrian-only zone to avoid traffic congestion, said U Ye Mon, deputy mayor of Mandalay Region.
He said 26th Street to the south of the moat was usually crowded with bumper-to-bumper traffic during the annual water festival, and restricting vehicle entry would solve the problem.
U Ye Mon also said commercial pandals will not be permitted in the street this year and the festival would be a celebration of traditional Myanmar heritage.
Pandals are fabricated structures erected for religious and social gatherings or events.
“Eight pandals will be allowed on each of the other three sides of the palace moat. In previous years, the pandals were allocated according to a lot system but this year it will be through auction,” he told The Myanmar Times.
“Private pandals will be allowed in Kandawgyi and other downtown areas.
“We should preserve our traditional Thingyan. This walking merry-making style will be an addition to the Thingyan festivities,” added U Ye Mon.
According to Mandalay City Development Committee public relations and information committee member U Kyaw San Myint, vehicles will not be allowed to enter the area of 26th Street to the south of the moat from 78th Street on the west of the moat to 66th Street on the east of the moat.
Parking areas will be provided for the revellers, U Kyaw San Myint said.
“The arrangements will allow convenient merrymaking throughout the whole 26th street to the south of the moat. If possible, we want to celebrate water throwing from canoes similar to the traditional Rakhine Thingyan. Powerful big hoses won’t be seen in this Thingyan.
“If chanting and coral dancing groups want to perform at the Mayor’s pandal, that will be allowed. We want to make it a joyous and fun-filled Thingyan,” said U Kyaw San Myint.
U Kyaw San Myint also reminded revellers that alcohol consumption and unruly behaviour, and having secret rooms in the guise of cloak rooms are prohibited.
Source: The Myanmar Times
