More than 30,000 visitors from nationwide flocked to the eminent Kyaiktiyo Pagoda located in Kyaikto of Mon State in February holidays said U Soe Hla, chairman of the board of trustees.
“As this week has three days off, 20,000 pilgrims across the nation arrived here daily. On 10 February (Saturday), 13,225 males, 1,612 females, 171 monks and 57 nuns in addition to 16 male and 29 female foreigners visited the pagoda,” added U Soe Hla.
Number of pilgrims across the nation to the pagoda is on the rise on a daily basis, some of whom are foreigners. According to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda Board of Trustees, the most visitors are from Thailand and Viet Nam although there are also some from China, Russia, and other Western countries. Currently, about 250 ferries run up and down on the hilly routes to the pagoda daily, and the hotels, lodges, free dormitories, and restaurants are open to visitors.
The Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Kyaiktiyo pagoda is held from the full moon day of Thadingyut to the Kason full moon day, and the pagoda is open to the public daily. — ASH/MKKS/TTA
