YANGON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Thingyan festival, also known as the water festival, is a popular celebration in Myanmar, marking the Myanmar New Year and lasting 4 to 5 days starting on April 13.

As the festival draws near, preparations for Atar pots begin. These Atar pots are filled with water and sprigs of seven kinds of flora, including coconut palm leaves, Gantgaw and Eugenia, representing seven days of the week.

"Some individuals buy pre-made sprigs of flora from markets, while others prefer crafting their own. For me, I prefer picking the flowers myself," Khin Khin Lay, 54, told Xinhua on Friday.

Placing the Atar pot in front of the house during the Thingyan period is a symbolic gesture of welcoming Tha Kyar Min, the King of the Celestials, she added.

"We place Atar pot in front of my house every year to welcome Thingyan because it's a tradition in Myanmar. Wherever I go, I will continue this tradition as a Myanmar citizen," 41-year-old La Pyae, who lives in Thailand, told Xinhua.

"In the past, when I was in Myanmar, I used to buy pre-made sprigs of flora, known as Atar flowers, from the markets. However, now that I am in Thailand, I will pick the flowers myself to put in the pot," she said.

"During the Thingyan period, many people in Myanmar donate, observe the sabbath, have charity feasts, and do good deeds. Preparing Atar pot before Thingyan is part of these traditions. Placing Atar pots in front of our homes is believed to keep us safe and bring prosperity," La Pyae said.

"The practice of putting Atar pots in front of houses serves as a way of preserving our tradition. It's important for older generations to pass this tradition down to the younger ones. They say that following this tradition brings good luck and keeps us safe," she added. Enditem

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