Pilgrims Flock to Bagan for Waso Full Moon Day Celebrations
Bagan, The Gulf Observer: The Bagan-NyaungU Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone saw a surge in pilgrim activity as thousands of devotees from across Myanmar gathered to observe Waso Full Moon Day, also known as Dhammacakka Day, one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar.
According to officials from the Shwezigon Pagoda Board of Trustees in NyaungU Township, the historic religious site welcomed families, groups of friends, and religious travellers who arrived before dawn to offer alms, chant protective verses, and engage in Dhamma practices. Crowds began forming as early as 4 am at the revered Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the most prominent pagodas in the region.
While Bagan typically enjoys a steady influx of visitors year-round, public holidays and major Buddhist observances like Waso draw significantly larger numbers of merit-makers and pilgrims. In response, the cultural authorities have extended the opening hours of pagodas within the heritage zone from 5 am to 7 pm daily throughout the Buddhist Lent period.
U Than Myint Oo, head of the Shwezigon Pagoda Board of Trustees, stated that eighteen pagodas under their management remain open during the Lenten season, providing ample opportunity for religious observance and pilgrimage.
Beyond the spiritual dimension, the celebrations brought a boost to the local economy. The influx of visitors provided brisk business for horse-cart drivers, e-bike rentals, mini-van services, tour guides, food vendors, souvenir sellers, and guesthouse operators. Hotels and lodges in the area reported high occupancy rates, catering to both religious pilgrims and tourists seeking to experience the unique spiritual atmosphere of Waso Full Moon Day in the historic heart of Myanmar.
The Bagan-NyaungU Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains a beacon of Buddhist devotion and Myanmar’s rich cultural legacy, especially during sacred occasions like Waso that bring together tradition, reverence, and community.
