Thousands throng Myanmar's Shwedagon to mark Buddhist festival of lights

Buddhist devotees visit Shwedagon pagoda to mark the full moon of the Thadingyut festival in Yangon on October 9, 2022. Thousands of Buddhist devotees thronged Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda to mark the full moon of the Thadingyut festival on October 9, some offering prayers for their country plunged into turmoil by last year's coup. - AFP

YANGON, Oct 9, 2022 (AFP): Thousands of Buddhist devotees thronged Myanmar's Shwedagon Pagoda to mark the full moon of the Thadingyut festival on Sunday, some offering prayers for a country plunged into turmoil by last year's coup.

The three-day festival marks Buddha's descent from heaven and is normally marked by riotous fireworks displays, with candles and colourful lanterns lighting up streets and homes.