Novices pray at Shwedagon Pagoda on Myanmarese New Year’s day

People are seen on the first day of Myanmar new calendar year at the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, April 17, 2013. On Myanmar new year’s day, people in the country used to perform meritorious deeds and Buddhists, who account for the majority of the people, usually go to the pagodas, monasteries and meditation centers where they practice meditation.

Novices pay homage on the first day of Myanmar new calendar year at the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, April 17, 2013.

People gather on the first day of Myanmar new calendar year at the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, April 17, 2013. <Xinhua/U Aung>