THE inauguration ceremony and Buddha Pujaniya Festival at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, were held on 6 October (the Full Moon Day of Thadingyut) at the main square of the pagoda, with cable cars already operating for pilgrims, according to U Soe Hla, Chairman of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda Trustees Board.
During the Thadingyut holiday and the Buddha Pujaniya Festival, large numbers of local and international pilgrims are visiting the pagoda, and officials have increased the number of mountain vehicles to better serve them.
“The opening ceremony of the mountain, the Buddha Pujaniya Festival, and the consecration ceremony will be held on 6 October. As the number of pilgrims has been increasing since the end of September, we increased the number of mountain vehicles to 50 before the festival. Since the number of pilgrims has continued to rise in early October, we further increased the number of mountain vehicles to 60, and on 4 October, we began operating 44 cable cars,” said U Soe Hla.
The annual Buddha Puja Festival at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda lasts for seven months, from the Full Moon Day of Thadingyut to the Full Moon Day of Kason, attracting numerous local and international pilgrims. — ASH/TH
