YANGON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar held a lighting festival on Shwekyin river in the east of Bago region Thursday by releasing paper lamps with tiny candles to float on the river, official media reported Friday.

The 167th nine-day traditional lighting festival took place a day after the full moon day of Thadingyut which fell on Wednesday of the seventh month in accordance with Myanmar calendar year, marking the retreat of rain.

Thousands of local residents and visitors gathered to line the bank of the river and float lamps on the river when the sun set, and enjoy boat rowing contest and spectacle such as dance performances by troupes on boats.

Besides the festival on water, there was also a festival on land as another half where shops and traditional theater were set up in town to complete the festival.

The festival dates back to the ancient Konboung dynasty. Enditem