More than 44,000 local and foreign pilgrims visited the Sandawshin Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda in Mon State in October and November this year, according to the pagoda treasury board of trustees. 

In October when the famous Buddha Pujaniya Festival was held, there were 33,057 local pilgrims and 85 foreign pilgrims. But in November after a shooting occurred near the pagoda area, there were only 11,362 local visitors and 193 foreign visitors, said an official of the board of trustees.

He added that in the first week of this month (December), there were also fewer pilgrims than that of last year but, there are pilgrims every day.

He also said: “Over 20 or 30 cars arrive on Saturdays and Sundays to climb up. But, weekdays see just over 10 or 15 cars. Pilgrims from Yangon city are a bit hesitant to come because of the X-Ray machine. They usually inquire about situation about the route. Without a long delay at the X-Ray machine, pilgrims say more will visit the pagoda.”

Local sources say that workers who carry humans and goods to the mountain top are facing financial problems as the pagoda sees fewer visitors.

 A worker said some carriers and their families have to be helped with their meals.

The annual Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda was held on October 9 (full moon day of Thadingyut). However at about 10am on October 12, a shooting occurred at the car parking at Kinmon Camp, the bottom of the Kyaikhtiyo Mountain killing three pilgrims and wounding at least 15 others.

Normally, the pagoda attracts about 3 million pilgrims during the festival.