Thingyan water festival at Maha Bandula Park
 Dancers in traditional costumes perform during celebrations for the Thingyan festival, also known as the Buddhist New Year near Sule Pagoda on April 13. (Sai Aung / AFP)

Every year the streets of Yangon erupt into a frenzy of water throwing and deafening music as people celebrate the Burmese New Year.

Much of the madness is concentrated around Maha Bandula Park where musicians and traditional dancers perform on a big stage while the crowd gets hosed. Here are some photographs of the fun so far in the heart of downtown.