<< Buddhist pilgrims seen at Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya

Presently, Buddhist pilgrims have to only rely on Myanmar-India flight in order to visit the holy sites in India and Nepal. The additional air service is expected to boost the convenience of pilgrims.

“The tourism industry can offer more travel choices for pilgrims if the Myanmar-Nepal flight is launched. Now we encounter delay because pilgrims have to travel only through India to visit holy sites. In past, there was air service from Nepal,” said Hla Aye, managing director of Shan Yoe Ma Tour.

Each year, thousands of Myanmar pilgrims would travel to Bodh Gaya to visit Mahabodhi Temple, one of four holy sites related to the life of Lord Buddha, located in Bihar, India.

The birthplace of Lord Buddha is in Nepal. To complete the pilgrimage, pilgrims travel to two countries and presently they can access the holy sites through India.

“A large number of Myanmar people take pilgrimage tour. In Nepal, there is pilgrimage journey besides visiting Mount Everest. If there is a direct flight (to Nepal), travellers will be more convenient,” said Lin Htain, managing director of MTS Travels.