A total of 127,793 pilgrims pay homage to Buddha images on Shwedagon Pagoda on Full-moon Day of Thadingyut
A total of 127,793 members of religious orders and laypersons made a pilgrimage to the Shwedagon Pagoda on Full-moon Day of Thadingyut (Abhidhamma Day), according to the pagoda board of trustees.
The pagoda was reopened on 8 February in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions and the pilgrims were allowed to pay homage to Buddha im-ages three times each in the morning and afternoon. As of 24 March, pilgrims were allowed to pay homage to Buddha im-ages only one time each in the morning and afternoon. Under the arrangement, 3,000 pilgrims were allowed to pay homage to Buddha images on the pagoda. Since 17 April, the pagoda has been reopened from 6 am to 6 pm. Now, the opening hours have been extended until 7 pm. A total of 349 monks, 400 nuns, 27,560 men, 33,681 women, 28 male foreigners and six female foreigners made the pilgrimage to the pagoda until noon today. In the afternoon, 702 monks, 287 nuns, 29,735 males, 34,984 females, 48 male foreigners and 13 female foreigners made the pilgrimage to the pagoda. A total of 127,793 pilgrims visited the pagoda today.
In the precinct of the pagoda, disinfectant is regularly sprayed to prevent COVID-19 and sanitation tasks are carried out periodically. Moreover, awareness-raising posters are hung in the precinct. Pilgrims were required to wash their hands and the body temperatures of pilgrims were also tested.
About 20,000 pilgrims visit the pagoda on a normal day but the number increases up to more than 100,000 on areligious days, according to the pagoda board of trustees.