Mount Popa
An extinct volcano in central Myanmar, home of the thirty-seven nats, the spirits who are honoured beside Buddhism.
Practised and told of here
Best time: November to February; the full moon of Nayon, in May or June, for the main festival.
Mount Popa rises from the dry plain of central Myanmar. Burmese tradition places the home of the Mahagiri nat, and of his sister, on the mountain, and mediums, called nat kadaw, serve the spirits.
The nats
The nat pantheon includes people who died violent deaths and became spirits, along with older guardian beings. The cult grew beside Theravada Buddhism and was written into a list of thirty-seven by King Anawrahta in the eleventh century. Believers feed and dress the images and ask for help with health, trade and family.
Mediums and festivals
Nat kadaw, many of them women or gay men, dance in a trance at festivals. At Taungbyone, near Mandalay, the gathering is large and loud. Scholars see nat worship as a way for many Burmese to speak of risk and loss that the Buddhist monastic world does not address.
Visiting
The temple on a rocky outcrop, Taung Kalat, is climbed barefoot, and macaques steal food. Travel advice for Myanmar changes with the political situation, and visitors should check it.
A respectful visit to Mount Popa
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- The nat shrine at the foot See the figures of the thirty-seven nats.
- The stairs of Taung Kalat Climb barefoot with other worshippers.
- Popa Mountain Resort viewpoint Look across the plain.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Mount Popa" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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