The Kyaiktiyo or golden Rock Pagoda

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda aka The Golden Rock

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda aka The Golden Rock

One of the most remarkable places to visit in Burma is the legendary Golden Rock. Located in Kyaiktiyo; a few hours east of Yangon, the Golden Rock is a phenomenon dangling off the side of a mountain. Legend has it that is is balancing on the hair of Buddha and it is the most important pilgrimage in the country. The hair was given to a hermit by Buddha himself, who in turn found a boulder which resembled his own head. He then built a small Stupa on it’s top and pilgrims have made their way to see it ever since.
This magnificent structure is not only fascinating but it also generates a magnificent energy. Pilgrims come to this place to marvel at how it clings to the side of a cliff, but also feel the it’s spiritual power.  Visiting the Golden Rock was one of the highlights of our time in Burma.
We have no idea how it has balanced on this mountain over the ages but as we gazed upon it with our own eyes, we became believers that something extraordinary was standing before us.

Nga Htat Gyi Buddha Image

Nga Htat Gyi Buddha Image

Nga Htat Gyi, also known as the "five-storey Buddha" is located across the Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha Image. A huge seated Buddha image is housed in a pavilion of iron structure with a five-tiered CGI roof of Ashay Tawya Monastery. Hence Nga-Htat-Gyi Pagoda means the pagoda with five-layered roof. This Buddha image is different from other images in the style of using Magite (armours) around the image.
The original Nga Htat Kyi Buddha Image was donated by Prince Minyedeippa in 1558. The original image of the Buddha was a seated image of 20.5 feet. It was relocated here when a great image having a height of 45.5 feet on a pedestal 30 feet (9.1m) high and 46 feet (13.9m) wide was erected on this piece of high ground in 1900.

The Pagoda is situated within a monastery complex located in Shwegonedaing ward of Bahan Township and can be reached from the road encircling the Royal Lakes by turning into a lane bearing its name. A shorter route is by following the Shwegondaing road connecting the Bahan and Tamwe townships right up to the rear entrance of the Pagoda.

The dimensions pertaining to this great image are as follow:
(a) circumference at the hair knot - 19.5 feet (5.9m)
(b) circumference of the frontlet - 20 feet (6.08m)
(c) distance between the cornersof each eye over - 3 feet (1m)
(d) pinna of the ear - 6 feet (1.82m)
(e) length of the nose - 3 feet 6 inches (1.06m)
(f) circumference of the throat - 20 feet (6.08m)
(g) breadth of the shoulders - 24 feet (7.3m)
(h) girth of the arms - 15feet 9 inches (4.79m)
(i) width between the extremities of the knees - 36 feet (10.9m)
(j) length of each palm - 10 feet (3.04m)
(k) length of each thumb - 4.5 feet (1.37m)
(1) length at the soles of feet - 10.5 feet (3.19m)

The great image, which was originally arrayed in monastic robes, has been invested with the regalia of kings such as a diadem, ear ornaments and jeweled sashes by devotees.

The Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda on the Shwegondaing Road.

The entrance to the Pagoda with a statue of a guardian lion.
 

In the prayer hall of the Nga Htat Gyi Buddha Image

A closer view of the Buddha Image. Ngar Htat Gyi meaning "Five Storey" high pagoda.

 



Shwemawdaw Pagoda

The Shwemawdaw Pagoda

The Shwemawdaw Pagoda (also written Shwemawdaw Paya) in Bago is the tallest pagoda in Myanmar. The Shwemawdaw is 14 m higher than the Shwedagon of Yangon. The name Shwemawdaw means Great Golden God. The Shwemawdaw can be seen from as far as 10 km outside the city, a fact which I could verify when I saw the Shwemawdaw from the window of the train for a long, long while, as we travelled passed Bago from Yangon to Mandalay.

According to legend, the Shwemawdaw was built by two merchant brothers, Mahasala and Kullasala, after they returned from India with two hairs personally given to them by Gautama Buddha. They built a small stupa to enshrine the hairs. Since then, the shrine had been enlarged many times, including once by Bago's founders, Thamala and Wimala. Sacred teeth relics were added to the collection in 982 and 1385.

King Dhammazedi installed a bell on the pagoda's main platform. Dhammazedi's inscriptions can still be seen today, though what was written by the king is indecipherable. In the 16th century, King Bayinnaung gave his own crown to be used to make the hti (sphire umbrella) for the pagoda. Then, in 1796, King Bodawpaya donated a new hti and raised the pagoda to 90 m (295 ft).

The Shwemawdaw has been rocked by earthquake many times in its long existence. In the 20th century alone, three big earthquakes hit the Shwemawdaw. The 1917 quake broke off its spire which now lay on the ground on the northeastern side of the pagoda. The Shwemawdaw was almost completely destroyed in the last major quake which happened in 1930. After World War II, unpaid volunteers began restoration work to rebuilt the pagoda. The restored pagoda stands 114 m (374 ft), taller than it ever was. By 1954, the Shwemawdaw was given a new diamond-studded hti.

Just like the Shwedagon, the Shwemawdaw is entered through four main stairways. There is a small museum that contains ancient wooden and bronze Buddha statues salvaged from the ruins of the 1930 earthquake. Like the Shwedagon, the terrace of the Shwemawdaw also features planetary prayer posts - eight all told - as well as statues honouring nat spirits. The stairways leading to the pagoda are guarded by huge white chinthe, mythical beasts which are half lion and half dog.

http://www.asiaexplorers.com/myanmar/shwemawdaw_paya.htm

China Town in Yangon

China Town in Yangon

The Chinatown of Yangon lies west of the Sule Pagoda which is located in the centre of downtown Yangon.
Proceeding west along the Sule Pagoda Road, the 24th, 23rd, 22nd, 20th, 19th and 18th Streets and Bo Ywe, Latha and Sint Oh Dan Roads steaming with traffic are the busiest quarters of the city as it is in Chinatowns in other parts of the world. Theses roads fall under the Latha Township.
A variety of restaurants, gold and jewelery stores, network game centers, cyber café, clothing shops and mini-markets display their wares while roadside food stalls dispense steaming dishes and snacks. Fruit vendors offer fruit in season which include mangoes, durians, mangos teens, pomelos, apples, tangerines, grapes, pears, avocados, lichees, pineapples, rambutan, plums and all kinds of banana, all the year round.
The Guang Dong Kwan Yin Temple, established about 170 years ago is located between the busy Latha and 20th Streets. Although the exact date of its construction is not known, it was known to be in existence by the year 1824 and that it was rebuilt in 1868 after being destroyed in a fire.
Most of the Chinese live in this part of the city as which forms a town of their own. Business is blooming in this area and it has become a place as a tourist attraction too. During the Chinese New Year holiday, this part of the city is most crowded and red decorations can be seen everywhere. Walking through the Chinatown can give one an amazing experience.

Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha