The Religious Site of Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar

The land of culture and religion, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is just the right destination to visit if you are looking to explore your spiritual side. A country so steeped in history with numerous ancient and cultural sites coupled with beautiful landscapes and colorful people, the visit is sure to enlighten you and you will definitely return as a different person.

One of the highlights of a religious visit to Myanmar happens to be the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also called as the Golden Temple, the pagoda is touted to be one of the most sacred sites in the country and houses the holy remnants of Lord Buddha and his teachings which includes 8 strands of his hair among other artifacts.

Apart from this, the pagoda is also said to contain the relics of three other Buddhas who supposedly preceded Gautam Buddha.

What’s so wonderful about this temple you may ask? Well, one fact is the history of the place which dates back to the early 6th and 7th centuries, which makes it nearly 2500 years old today. Another fact is the stunning architecture of the temple and it’s outer design shrouded with gold and jewels.

When we talk about gold, it’s not just a single part of the pagoda that is encased in gold but the entire temple, which shimmers and sparkles under the sun owing to the gold and precious stones that adorn the temple from the floor to the roof.

Origin:- Tourists wonder where all this gold came from and how long it would have taken to completely cover the structure with it. The story goes that a certain queen who reigned over the Mon people donated gold that equaled her weight to the temple.

The incident became quite famous and later on became a tradition where in people to this day, save money to buy some form of gold (mainly golden leaves) that they attach to the walls of the temple.

Getting There:- The temple sits at the summit of the Singuttara Hill which can easily be reached via the Shwedagon Pagoda Road in Yangon. Ask directions to the Dagon Township and you will easily find the temple that looks as if it shining down from heaven.

Underlying Structure:- The architectural magnificence of the pagoda has been a subject of wonder from ancient times. Standing at a height of 326 meters from the platform, the pagoda covers an area of 1420 feet at the base. The structure of the pagoda resembles a cone and is fully covered in gold.

In addition to the large pagoda in the center, there are 64 smaller pagodas which surround it. These constitute a medium sized pagoda in the center which is in turn surrounded by 4 smaller pagodas. These are covered in gold too.

Surrounding the base are also 4 sphinx like creations and Tazaungs are present which showcase sculptures of Lord Buddha. This is also the spot where offerings are made to various gods, each of which symbolizes a particular birth sign.

All around the base, it is possible to find sculptures and images of crouching and kneeling men, elephants, lions, ogres, various spirits, serpents, and yogis.

Unbelievable but true! All of these are encased in solid gold. The pagoda or the central dome itself is a sight to behold for not only is it covered in gold but it is also embedded with very precious stones and gems, including nearly 2000 rubies and 5000 diamonds.

What’s Inside The Base:- Till today, no one has an idea of what lies beneath the base of the pagoda. Some say that the base is riddled with underground tunnels and hidden passageways that lead to the neighboring regions, some even as far as Thailand and Bagan.

Others believe that the base houses the protection mechanism that prevents intruders from entering the pagoda and making off with the gold. Story goes that there are numerous swords that keep rotating and appearing out of nowhere to do away with thieves.

Need to Know Facts:- The Burmese consider this site as the most sacred of all the Buddhist monuments in the country. Hence, it is completely necessary to follow the rules and regulations set by the temple staff.

Any kind of foot wear is strictly forbidden within the premises and need to be left behind at any one of the entrances which include the Eastern, Western and Southern ones.

There are numerous shops that line the Southern and Eastern entrances with the addition of elevators for the less able traveler. If you choose to come through the Western entrance, there are escalators that help you to reach the pagoda.

Burmese consider walking around the pagoda in a clockwise direction, auspicious. So join the crowd and come around the structure in the clockwise direction. Choosing to come around the other way would tend to draw a few stares and even some glares from the locals.

Watch and even partake in the prayers people perform around the pagoda and if you wish, you can also place some offerings at the various shrines that surround the base. At the end, it is an enlightening experience for your body and soul. So don’t miss this opportunity!