THE number of visitors to the Mann Shwesettaw, Myanmar’s famous pagoda festival, is on the rise, ac­cording to an official from the pagoda trustees.

The festival in Minbu (Sagu) Town­ship, Magway Region, is being held for 75 days, including the Thingyan holiday, from 2 February to 17 April.

 “Now, visitors are coming. Even on this evening of 18 March, there are still a lot of travellers. We heard more visitor’s cars will come. We expect more tourists after the Grade 12 examinations,” he said.

The increase in the number of tourists will bring better income for vendors at the pagoda festival, he added. This year, over 300 guest rooms and 350 shops have been built to accommodate pilgrims from all over the country. Monks and laypersons who will come from far and near will be al­lowed to stay overnight in the guesthouses.

The Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda Fes­tival, which had been temporarily sus­pended during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, has been held again since 2024. — Htet Oo Maung/ZN