Akauktaung Pagoda packed with pilgrims daily in Bago Region

According to U Min Aung, a member of the Trustees Board of the Pagoda, Akauktaung Pagoda in Padaung Township, Bago Region, is always open regardless of the season, and pilgrims enter every day. Free accommodation and vegetarian meals are provided daily for lunch and dinner for the pilgrims.
Pilgrims who come to Akauktaung Pagoda are also given beds, which have been arranged for them to stay free of charge. In addition, the Sayadaw residing at Akauktaung also donates vegetarian dishes to the pilgrims every day from 6 am to 6 pm.
“There is no specific season for pilgrims. It is always open. Arrangements are also provided for all pilgrims for free. In addition, for the accommodation, the vegetarian meals are also donated under the Akauktaung Sayadaw’s plans from 6 am to 6 pm today. About two hundred pilgrims always arrive there on weekends. And about twenty or thirty pilgrims come on weekdays,” U Min Aung said.
The Akauk Hill is located at the end of Htonebo town in Padaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Region, and Thaukkyaduu Village, Kyangin Township, Hinthada District, Ayeyawady Region. Many statues of ancient pagodas are engraved on the banks of the Ayeyawady River, earning the interest of domestic pilgrims and tourists.
In history, Akauktaung was a place where taxes were collected by boat. Therefore, the stone carvers who came by boat carved the cliffs of Akauktaung and donated their knowledge to offer to the deceased. There are about 370 statues of Buddha at Akauk Hill, and all the statues are carved on a cliff. There are 246 sitting Buddha statues, 109 standing statues, and 15 reclining statues. The statues are from the Konbaung era, and some of the works from the Inwa era are also included. — ASH/TKO