วันอังคารที่ 12 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2554
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda aka The Golden Rock
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda aka The Golden Rock
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.
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
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 Image
Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha Image
he Six-storeyed Pagoda surpasses the nearby Five-Storeyed Pagoda in name only as, the great image is in a reclining posture while the latter is in a sitting posture. This curious way of applying multi-storey qualifiers to places of Buddhistic worship seems to be an indigenous development which began during the second Innwa period.Work on this image started in 1899, the donor named U Hpo Thar being fired by his ambition to make it a model edifice not only in this country but in the whole world as well. By 1907, the image of the Buddha half reclining on a royal couch on his flank, one hand propping up his upper torso was completed. From afar one might have mistaken it for an image in the seated posture.
The image then had a length of 195 feet (59.28m) and a height of 100 feet (30.4m) from the surface of the couch to the halo round the head with the height of the couch itself 5 feet 6 inches above the platform. Extensive reconstruction completed in 1973 extended the length of the image to 216 feet (65.85m) with the height of the couch however, reduced to 4 feet (1.22m). Originally the axis of the head turned towards the west and the visage faced the south, but the reconstructed image has the head aligned towards the east and the visage facing north.
The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda. Just across the street to Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda.
A closer view of the great reclining Buddha
The Buddha's foot print with the description of the lives of Buddha.
The reclining Buddha image.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
It is known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets. It has the largest selection of Myanmar souvenirs you can find under one roof. You can buy a variety of interesting Myanmar lacquerware, gems and jewellery at this market.
Bogyoke Aung San Market which is the main tourist destination in Yangon.
 Inside the market, there are many lines of shops selling gifts, souvenirs, gems and jewelleries, and many more. |
Myanmar Gems Museum
The four-storey building is situated at No.66, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township and very close to the Kaba Aye Pagoda. The jewellery shops are located on the first and second floors, while the museum is on the third floor. The gems fair and auction held twice a year in March and October. Many jewel dealers from all over the world come here at that time. These three floors of the Gems Mart present the whole range of Myanmar ruby, sapphire, period and a variety of assorted colored stones, jade, pearls in lots or embedded in exquisite jewelry, gold ware, silverware and jade figurines. These are sold in Myanmar Kyats, US$ or foreign exchange certificates (FEC).
Karaweik Hall
The floating Karaweik Restaurant on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake is one of the landmarks of Yangon. This modern architecture of a mythical creature Karaweik Hall was constructed in 1972. This whole building was gilded with gold about 20 years ago. Karaweik Hall will serve lunch and dinner with Myanmar, Chinese, Eastern and Western cuisine at moderate prices. It is also an excellent idea to examine the beauty of this royal barge and the stunning view of the Shwedagon. Traditional dance performances are normally held here in the evenings.
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A standing Nat or spirit at the entrance of the Karaweik Hall. The statue is holding a sword of a King
Glittering Karaweik Hall during the day, photo taken from the left side
The beautiful night scene of Karaweik Hall, photo taken from the ride side
The front view of the Karaweik Hall, taken at sunset
The Karaweik Hall is composed of two Mythical birds forming a hall in between.
The tail of the Mythical bird, decorated with golden and red paint![]()
The tip of the tail, with a shape of a Nat
The entrance to the Karaweik Hall. Inside there is a Myanmar Traditional restaurant, and also entertain Myanmar dances and Myanmar Orchestra.
A standing Nat or spirit at the entrance of the Karaweik Hall. The statue is holding a sea shell, to give auspiciousness.
A standing Nat or spirit at the entrance of the Karaweik Hall. The statue is holding a sword of a King
Sule Pagoda
Sule Pagoda
The Sule Pagoda is an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2,000 years old and contains a hair given by the Buddha to two Burmese merchants. Located on a roundabout in downtown Yangon. The golden pagoda is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.
A night scene of the Sule Pagoda, located in the heart of Yangon
Marble Foot prints of Buddha, filled with gold foils, in the Sule Pagoda compound. The footprints usually describe the lives of the Buddha.
Nats or Spirits guarding a bell. Myanmar people usually ring the bell after making good deeds, as a custom.
In the prayer hall. Lots of Coconut and Banana offerings. There are four main prayer halls
The top decorations of the Sule Pagoda
A Hinthar bird carrying a pagoda on top of its body and with decorations.
History of Yangon
The history of Yangon is intertwined with the history of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Wherever one may be in Yangon, in the busy town center, in the new towns of the east, in the industrial zone of the west, in the paddy fields of the north, the golden form of the Shwedagon will be seen on the skyline rising above the foliage of the tropical trees, and
The founding story of Shwedagon reaches back to the days of the Enlightenment of Gaudama Buddha when He discovered the cause of universal suffering and the way to its elimination. It was on the 49th day after the Enlightenment when two brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, merchants from Ukkalapa in the land of Mon people in Lower Myanmar, came before Buddha. A nat (spirit) who had been the mother of the two brothers in a previous existence had guided them to the Buddha. The brothers offered honey cakes. After Buddha had eaten the cakes, the brothers asked for gift. Buddha passed His hand over His head and, obtaining eight Hairs, gave them to the brothers. Buddha, perceiving that the three previous Buddhas had caused their possessions to be enshrined in a pagoda on Singuttara hill in the country of the two brothers, bade them to do likewise with the
The brothers returned home and made landfall at Pagoda Point in the south-west coast of Myanmar. They sent word to king Ukkalapa of their arrival with the sacred Hairs. The King welcomed the Hairs with great ceremony at Asitanzana, north-west of present
The king and the brothers next sought for a man who could tell them the location of Singuttara Hill. No human knew the location but Sakka, King of the nats did, and guided them to the Hill. Singuttara Hill is known by seven names of which one is Trikhumba, meaning 'three pots' and signifying three pot-shaped hills. Tikhumba became Tikun and
When the brothers asked Sakka where the Hairs should be shrined, Sakka could not tell them where the earlier relics were enshrined because they were of such antiquity and he was not that old. However, Sule Nat knew where Kakusandha Buddha's staff was enshrined, Yawhani Nat knew where Konagamana Buddha's water-dipper was enshrined. Hmawbi Nat revealed that he had been assigned to guard the sacred objects. Finally, Gautama Buddha's Hairs were enshrined and stupa consecrated on the full moon day of
Along time after that, there that, there being no one to worship at the Lagun shrine, it fell into ruin and was covered with jungle.Tradition states that 200 years after Buddha's Parinirvana in 543 BC. Sona and Uttara, two monks from Sri Lanka brought King Asoka to the Pagoda. The King had the jungle cleared and the Pagoda repaired. In the fifth century A.D. King Duttabaung paid homage at the Pagoda. In the 11th century, King Anawratha of Bagan offered gold and silver umbrellas and built a pagoda near the town of Twante across the Yangon River. Dalla, which is now a town on the bank opposite Yangon, was then located on the Twante Ridge and was more important than Dagon. Dagon at that time lay in low lying often water-logged land. Sule Pagoda, now in downtown Yangon, stood on a small island in the swamp, to the west down to he Hlaing River and Yangon /River to the south .The Shwedagon (then called Kyak Lagun in Mon)
The discovery of a votive of the Bagan period at Tadagale to the north of Yangon shows that the laterite ridge at the end of which Shwedagon lay was a scene of activity in the Bagan period and the ridge may have provided a road southwards to the Shwedagon Pagoda and Dagon Village beyond.
After the founding of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Alaungpaya's conquest of lower Myanmar is the second most important event in the history of Dagon. May 1775 marks the beginning of the modern town when Alaungpaya, to commemorate his victory, changed
Alaungpaya's Yangon was basically a log fortress, with the river frontage in the south, the site of the present 30th street in the west, a line of about 3300' cutting across the modern Maha Bandola Garden, Pansodan and Bo Aung Gyaw street in the north, and Theinbyu Street in the east. The town lay well to the east of the Sule Pagoda.
The founding story of Shwedagon reaches back to the days of the Enlightenment of Gaudama Buddha when He discovered the cause of universal suffering and the way to its elimination. It was on the 49th day after the Enlightenment when two brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, merchants from Ukkalapa in the land of Mon people in Lower Myanmar, came before Buddha. A nat (spirit) who had been the mother of the two brothers in a previous existence had guided them to the Buddha. The brothers offered honey cakes. After Buddha had eaten the cakes, the brothers asked for gift. Buddha passed His hand over His head and, obtaining eight Hairs, gave them to the brothers. Buddha, perceiving that the three previous Buddhas had caused their possessions to be enshrined in a pagoda on Singuttara hill in the country of the two brothers, bade them to do likewise with the
The brothers returned home and made landfall at Pagoda Point in the south-west coast of Myanmar. They sent word to king Ukkalapa of their arrival with the sacred Hairs. The King welcomed the Hairs with great ceremony at Asitanzana, north-west of present
The king and the brothers next sought for a man who could tell them the location of Singuttara Hill. No human knew the location but Sakka, King of the nats did, and guided them to the Hill. Singuttara Hill is known by seven names of which one is Trikhumba, meaning 'three pots' and signifying three pot-shaped hills. Tikhumba became Tikun and
When the brothers asked Sakka where the Hairs should be shrined, Sakka could not tell them where the earlier relics were enshrined because they were of such antiquity and he was not that old. However, Sule Nat knew where Kakusandha Buddha's staff was enshrined, Yawhani Nat knew where Konagamana Buddha's water-dipper was enshrined. Hmawbi Nat revealed that he had been assigned to guard the sacred objects. Finally, Gautama Buddha's Hairs were enshrined and stupa consecrated on the full moon day of
Along time after that, there that, there being no one to worship at the Lagun shrine, it fell into ruin and was covered with jungle.Tradition states that 200 years after Buddha's Parinirvana in 543 BC. Sona and Uttara, two monks from Sri Lanka brought King Asoka to the Pagoda. The King had the jungle cleared and the Pagoda repaired. In the fifth century A.D. King Duttabaung paid homage at the Pagoda. In the 11th century, King Anawratha of Bagan offered gold and silver umbrellas and built a pagoda near the town of Twante across the Yangon River. Dalla, which is now a town on the bank opposite Yangon, was then located on the Twante Ridge and was more important than Dagon. Dagon at that time lay in low lying often water-logged land. Sule Pagoda, now in downtown Yangon, stood on a small island in the swamp, to the west down to he Hlaing River and Yangon /River to the south .The Shwedagon (then called Kyak Lagun in Mon)
The discovery of a votive of the Bagan period at Tadagale to the north of Yangon shows that the laterite ridge at the end of which Shwedagon lay was a scene of activity in the Bagan period and the ridge may have provided a road southwards to the Shwedagon Pagoda and Dagon Village beyond.
After the founding of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Alaungpaya's conquest of lower Myanmar is the second most important event in the history of Dagon. May 1775 marks the beginning of the modern town when Alaungpaya, to commemorate his victory, changed
Alaungpaya's Yangon was basically a log fortress, with the river frontage in the south, the site of the present 30th street in the west, a line of about 3300' cutting across the modern Maha Bandola Garden, Pansodan and Bo Aung Gyaw street in the north, and Theinbyu Street in the east. The town lay well to the east of the Sule Pagoda.
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