Tens of thousands of Buddhist devotees and monks had been waiting for the Venerable Mong Pong Sayadaw Bhadanda Nyana Sanwara to come out of Mongkyet Cave in Mongsat Township, eastern Shan State, on July 31 after successfully completing his observance of a solitary meditation retreat for three years, three months and three days, local sources said.  

The Sayadaw started his meditation retreat in the cave in April 2019, and was due to receive homage on July 31.

Large numbers of people from across Myanmar and Thailand had gathered there since earlier July, according to the local sources. The Sayadaw is said to be receiving obeisance from the public members for five days. 

Thai media and social networks said more than 100,000 people could be arriving to welcome the Sayadaw.

Clearance tasks had been reportedly carried out around the cave for over the past few months. 

It is the second time the Sayadaw observed his long meditation retreat in Mongkyet Cave.

Mong Pong Sayadaw entered the Buddhist order at the young age of 11, and since then, he has been used to having vegetarian foods during the three-month Buddhist Lent. The Sayadaw always observes his meditation retreat in a cave, hilly missionary Sayadaw U Sukha Meinta from Lwetein Kham Monastery in Muse said in an interview.

 Mongkyet Cave is located near the creek sharing borders between Mongsat and Mongpyin townships.

There are over 50 camps around the cave where donors will provide free meals to the awaiting pilgrims. Moreover, there are free clinics providing healthcare.