ACCORDING to the Board of Trustees of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, more than 1.17 million domestic and international pilgrims and tourists visited the site from October 2024 to mid-May 2025.
U Soe Hla, a representative of the pagoda’s board, said, “The annual pagoda festival at Kyaiktiyo begins on the full moon day of Thadingyut. Throughout the festival period, pilgrims have been visiting daily. Although the festival ends on the full moon day of Kason, visitors continue to come and pay homage. Even during the current rainy season, we are seeing over 200 visitors daily, and that number rises to about 400 on public holidays”.
To ensure visitors can pay homage safely and peacefully, the Board of Trustees and responsible officials are overseeing security arrangements, free accommodation, food and drink provisions, and healthcare services. Around 150 vehicles are operating daily to transport pilgrims up the mountain, and cable car lines are also open for public use.
The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda’s Buddha Pujaniya festival runs annually from the full moon day of Thadingyut to the full moon day of Kason. During this period, pilgrims from all corners of the country flock to the site in large numbers every day. The highest number of visitors was recorded in December 2024. — ASH/MKKS
