YANGON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Crowds across Myanmar continued to celebrate the traditional Thingyan water festival on Tuesday, the second day of the festivities, reuniting with family and taking part in traditional activities.

Throwing water at each other is a key part of Thingyan, symbolizing a fresh start and the cleansing of the past year.

Beyond the festivities, Myanmar's Thingyan also emphasizes good deeds. These include offering charity feasts, paying respect to elders, washing the hair of elders, freeing animals, and preserving traditional dances through festival performances, Arkar Kyaw, director at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, told Xinhua.

Thingyan marks the Myanmar New Year, bringing together people of all races and religions across the country to celebrate this cherished tradition, he said.

The festival has been observed since the Bagan era and continues to be passed down from generation to generation, he added.

"I wish all Myanmar people a peaceful New Year, with renewed hearts and minds, as they welcome it with the cleansing waters of Thingyan," he said.

Amid the celebrations, many people shared their experiences while visiting pavilions and taking part in "walking Thingyan" in Yangon.

Thin Thiri Paing, 21, said she has loved celebrating Thingyan since childhood because she enjoys throwing water with others. "Even if we don't know each other, we can connect through splashing water," she said.

She added that the festival marks the Myanmar New Year, which is why she participates every year. She also noted that Thingyan is inscribed on the UNESCO cultural heritage list, making it important to preserve the tradition.

Aung Myo, 36, said he came to the festival with his family and felt especially joyful this year. "We haven't been able to fully enjoy Thingyan for a long time, so I feel very happy now," he said.

"In Myanmar, we celebrate Thingyan by visiting pavilions, applying Thanakha, a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from the bark of the thanakha tree, eating at charity feasts, and walking around to enjoy the festivities," he added.

Yamin Thu, 23, said, "What is unique about our Thingyan is the blooming Padauk flowers before the festival and the performance of Yein dance, which is our traditional dance, at the pavilions."

As Thingyan continues, people across Myanmar celebrate with joy, tradition, and a spirit of togetherness, welcoming the New Year. ■