THIS year 2020, Myanmar Sakarit, 1381-82 Buddha's Sasana Sakarit 2563-64, songram or Thingyan Festival lasts five days namely the Eve on 12 April the Descent Day [Akya day] 13 April the Descent Day [Akat days] 14 and 15 April, Ascent Day [Atet Day] April 16. Songram, a Sansrut word meaning change, change from Cold season to Warm season, old natural environment to new sutural environment. Old leaves fall and blown away. New leaves, new buds, new blooms appear. New plant sprout from earth. New avian and ferrestial and aquatic creatures being born Bees, birds, butterflies and insects appear. The entire environment is turning fresh and green.

There are many legends of Thingyan of them two are wellknown. Four Brahma gods from heavenly kingdom came down to earth. They could not resist the temptation to eat sweet earth. So they lost the light from their bodies. They prayed for light. So Sun and Moon appeared. Burmans [ဗမာ] were descendants of these Brahmas. Mientin [Chinese] was the name of the country [မြန်မာပြည်].

The next Legend is the descent of Sakka Deva [Thagya Min] to Earth to inspect if humans are behaving good or bad. Thagyar Min is accompanied by two devas Vithugyone and Matali. Vithugyone is constructor and Register Matali is the driver of Thagya Min. On the day of descent of Thagya Min to Earth [Akya Day] all human on Earth welcome him with atar o [Earth water pot with Thagyan of leaves representing 7 days of the week. The humans pray saying they behave well Vithugyone the Register carries two books (1). Gold Book into which good humans' names are recorded (2). Dog skin Book into which bad humans' name are recorded. These two Books are presented on Doompes Day for reward and punishment.

Inspection Day [Akyat Day] take one or two days. On the Ascent Day [Atet Day] humans sendoff Thagya Min by pouring clear scented water from the Atar O, and the bouquet of Thingyan leaves in front of their houses.

The day following the ascent day is called New Year Day. But not necessarily to be exact according to calendar on that Day humans clean up their shrines, houses and surroundings. They also clear up pagodas and monasteries. They shampoo and bathe old people who give them blessings.

There are other legends and meanings of Songram Thingyan or changes.

First in summer the Sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn in South to Tropic of Cancer to North. Myanmar is directly under Tropic of Cancer. So Myanmar summer is very warm. Another meaning of change is changes of duty. The legend of this meaning is as follows:

Sakka Deva and Athi Bralma Deva had a heated controversy on the soluion of a Mathematic problem. They agreed to put at up to Professor Kawalamyine on Earth. They also agreed that the winner should cut off the head of the loser. Kawalamyine after examination found that Saka Deva's solution was correct when upon Saka Deva cut off the head of Athi Brahma Deva and fixed the head of the head of Maha Beingala Elephant God. Thus Maha Pernne Deva appeared. Elephant headed Deva.

Athi Brahma's head was a problem. It was thrown unto Earth. Earth would burn to ashes her. If thrown into occasions all occasions would dry up. Atlast Saka Deva chose 7 devis of 7 days of the week and assigns the duty of holding Athi Brahma Deva in then hands by turn every year. So Thingyan is the change of duty of holding Athi Brahma Deva head by turn among 7 devis of the week.

Thingyan Bulletin [သင်္ကြန်စာ] is very important for all Myanmar ethnic nationalities. It is the calendar for religious, social and cultural festivals. Dates and periods of lent, End of Lent etc. the seasons of summer, rain and winter. Weather fore cast, cultivation, harvest and storage of crop dates, forecasting storm, earthquake, sacurcrty of rim. Political situation at home and abroad peace or revolution, change of Government, change of heads of state outbreak of disasters-starvation, contagious diseases and armed confects and war. As shown in this article Thingyan Bulletins issued by State Board of Thingyan Bulletins, Saka Deva's Vehicle this year is Snake. He holds an axe and a chundaung in his hands. Axe is used in construction chundaung is a hook to pluck fruits of flowers from the high trees. It is also the symbol of human attempt at solving difficult problems and meeting challenges.

Thingyan Bulletin is issued by State board of Thingyan Bulletin composed of astrologers, astronomer. Professors of Vedas, metrologists, Seismologists and weather forecasters and wise propheters. Better to read Thingyan Bulletin yourselves. The gist of it is Myanmar as well as the world would face many challenges including great diseases. But through good will, and co-operation all humans of the world and Myanmar would survive. We all need to keep metta loving kindness to one another.

Maha Saddhamma Jotika dhaja, Sithu Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt