BAGAN ancient cultural zone will host travellers before the full moon day of Tawthalin, according to the locals.
Starting from the early this month, the travellers started visiting Bagan, and the arrivals are usually high on public holidays, bringing job opportunities to the locals. After the end of the Mandalay Taungpyone festival, the Bagan area hosted travellers in the monsoon period, and the travellers from the Boedaw festival of Mount Popa visited the Shin Accagona Pagoda in Bagan on the full moon day of Tawthalin.
“After the Taungpyone festival, the travellers pay a visit to Bagan more and more. Although the number of traveller decline in the monsoon, the Bagan area will be crowded with visitors for the donation events, pagoda festival and alms food donation ceremonies on the full moon day of Tawthalin. Moreover, the place is lively to be packed with travellers,” said U Tin Hla Oo, secretary of the Htilominlo temple board of trustees.
In the past, Bagan hosted travellers before the period of the Taungpyone festival, and also before and after the Boedaw festival of Mount Popa. Currently, the site is crowded with visitors again over the monsoon period.
“During the rainy season, there were fewer visitors. Starting from the beginning of this month, visitors began to arrive again, especially domestic travellers. Activities that symbolize Bagan, such as hand painting, buying puppet souvenirs, riding horse carts, taking photos, and enjoying the sunset, are the favourite experiences for both local and international travellers. The businesses are resuming, and things are becoming more convenient for locals. As Bagan is the cultural heart of Myanmar, all travellers are warmly welcomed,” said U Zeyar Than, sand painter of Myinkaba village.
The travellers from Mount Popa visit Shin Accagona pagoda in Bagan on the full moon day of Tawthalin and do good deeds by making a cash donation. The Manuha Pagoda festival is held between the 14th Waxing and the 1st Waning of Tawthalin. This year, the pagoda festival will include the Casting Lots Festival and the Alms Bowl Festival.
Bagan hosts travellers starting from early August, and it is expected to lure more travellers on the full moon day of Tawthalin in September. — Thitsa (MNA)/ KTZH
