The Shwedagon in Yangon.
Some history, people, how to go there and highlights. The silhouette of the sacred monument is visible from everywhere since it really towers the city. Set on a platform on Theingotta Hill in the center.Today the monumental structure is heavily used to "milk the tourists" they must pay $ 5,- entrance locals pay nothing, thats not fair, the same scheme is with all other bigger pagodas in the city such as the Sule downtown and the Botataung close to the Yangon Riverfront.
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| The Shwedagon seen from Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon City |
People say it is about 2000 years old but historically confirmed are around thousand years, the thing is first there was probably only a structure with a couple of meters height. Which continuously was enlarged and from time to time newly gilded and new donations were enclosed at the top.
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| The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon |
Today this is probably the biggest diamond collection in the world.
Countless rubies, jade, sapphires and other precious stones complete the donated items. Every now and then the whole get a new layer of gold plates. Finally the Shwedagon has several tons of gold layered onto the basic form which is made from bricks.
People at the holy shrine
Every day more than thousand devotees visit the place; they
come from all parts of the country. A growing number of international visitors are
among them.
At the south entrance is a special room with some facilities
for them to wash the feet and leave the shoes since entrance to the platform is
only barefoot. This is posing a real problem since the marble slabs used for
flooring are becoming very hot after around noon which makes it difficult to
walk.
use the sanctuary regularly for the "novitiation ceremony". The whole clan come together dressed with the best clothes to celebrate since this is considered one of the most important event of the boy's life.
There are about 200 of this prayer pavilions with countless sculptures from the Lord in various designs sometimes they use very pretty Buddhist inspired art in form of glass mosaics as wall decoration.
It's already overcrowded and they have problems to fit in new ones. As it is in the east a donation always help to find a suitable space.
Buddhist Novices and families
use the sanctuary regularly for the "novitiation ceremony". The whole clan come together dressed with the best clothes to celebrate since this is considered one of the most important event of the boy's life.
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| The Shwedagon Platform |
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| A shrine with glass mosaic |
Buddha Shrines built to gain merit
There are about 200 of this prayer pavilions with countless sculptures from the Lord in various designs sometimes they use very pretty Buddhist inspired art in form of glass mosaics as wall decoration.
It's already overcrowded and they have problems to fit in new ones. As it is in the east a donation always help to find a suitable space.
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