TODAY

YINMABIN, 22 April—A venerable monk living on Powin Hill in Yinmabin Township in the Sagaing Region has said the pilgrimage period for the cave of Alaungdaw Kathapa will be closed as of 26 April to avoid accidents during the rainy season.

The authorities have also closed shops along the road to the cave popular with pilgrims since the Maha Thingyan Festival ended and rails along the road to the cave and the equipment in the cave have been uninstalled.

The monk said only after the equipment is replaced and the way to cave again becomes safe should pilgrimages resume.

During the rainy season, the road in the forest leading to the cave becomes muddy and dangerous.

U Maung Maung Htay, secretary of the board of trustees for the cave, said, “We have asked the pilgrims not to visit to the cave in the rainy season and we have withdrawn security personnel from the cave and its road”.

Myo Win Tun (Monywa)