Up, up and away: Gorgeous photos of Myanmar’s hot air balloon festival

In case, you did not know, Tazaungmon is the eighth month in the Burmese calendar. The word "Tazaung" means lights and "Mon" means convey. And every year, usually during the month of November, people in Myanmar gather together to mark the end of the rainy season and kathina (a month-long Buddhist festival where monks are offered new robes and alms). Also, on a full-moon day during this period, Buddhist devotees perform meritorious deeds at famous pagodas. The origins of this festival are believed to stem from the Kattika festival in honour of the guardian gods of the planets. (Source: AP)

Contestants launch hot-air balloon during annual Tazaungdine Festival in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, Myanmar. Balloons made of bamboo and traditional papers are released day and night during the annual six-day festival. (Source: AP)

Local residents march with paper lanterns during the festival. (Source: AP)

Ethnic Pa-O women march with paper lanterns during Tazaungdine Festival while Sulamani Pagoda is illuminated in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, Myanmar. (Source: AP)

Contestants launch another hot-air balloon during the festival. (Source: AP)

Local and foreign tourists take part in the Tazaungdine hot air balloon festival- one of the tourist attractions of Myanmar. (Source: AP)