Ceremony to pray for traveller safety planned at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

A ceremony to pray for the safety of travellers will be held on the full moon of Kason, 22 May, at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Mon State, according to U Soe Hla, the pagoda board of trustees.
Since November last year, pilgrims from every corner of the country have journeyed to the pagoda. Despite the usual decrease in visitors during the monsoon season, approximately 100 vehicles traverse the mountain road to the pagoda daily.
U Soe Hla said, “The pagoda festival commences with the opening ceremony on the full moon of Thadingyut and traditionally concludes on the full moon of Kason. However, due to the continuous influx of visitors throughout the year, we aim to conduct a special ceremony dedicated to the safety of all our visitors.”
Currently, 800 to 1,000 visitors travel to the Golden Rock daily, with the number increasing to up to 1,500 on public holidays. The pagoda opens daily, with the Buddha Pujaniya festival scheduled from Thadingyut (October) to Kason (May). — ASH/NT