Yangon pagodas packed despite bomb scares
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Despite recent bomb blasts and ongoing bomb alerts in Myanmar, famous pagodas in Yangon were crowded with worshippers at the weekend, with Thadingyut, one of the country's most popular religious days, falling on Saturday.
Security was reportedly doubled this year in and around the pagodas.
A policeman on duty at the Kabaaye Pagoda in Mayangon township confirmed local police had enforced maximum security measures at and around the pagoda.
Aung Gyi, a local security officer at the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda in Insein township, said:
“We are working on full security measures but we try not to bother the visitors. We have 20 members from the Insein Township Police Force and some local civilians working on security.”
Devotees made merit at the weekend by feeding and releasing fish and birds at temples while also enjoying free food donated by well-wishers.
“When religiously significant days fall, we go to pagodas such as the Shwedagon, the Tooth Relic Pagoda and the Kabaaye to provide free food,” said Nine Youth Volunteer Group’s Sithu Phyo, speaking at the Kabaaye Pagoda.
A local from Hmawby township said that her visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda took place in the normal, peaceful atmosphere despite the ongoing bomb scares.
Another visitor said: “We came here because I doubted there would be a bad situation on such a significant day. The Shwedagon Pagoda is as crowded as ever. So is the Kabaaye Pagoda.”
