When he was descending back to the mortal world, Sakra-devanam-indra, the ruler of the Trayastrimsa Heaven, ordered all the saints and evils to make three precious stairways.

Buddhists celebrate Thadingyut to welcome the Buddha and his disciples by enlightening and festooning the streets, houses and public buildings with colored electric bulbs or candles, which represent those three stairways.

Young people usually pay respect (gadaw) to their parents, teachers, and elderly relative and offer them some fruits and other gifts.

Also while paying homage the younger people usually ask for forgiveness from the wrong-doings they have caused upon their parents or the other elderly relatives throughout the year.

Traditionally the elders tell their youngsters that they forgive any of their wrongdoings and continue to bless them with good luck and gift pocket money.