Shwedagon Golden Pagoda - Yangong

History of Yangon intertwined with history of Shwedagon Pagoda, witnessing Myanmar's 1500 years of history, sharing and growing together in the same era. Shwedagon Pagoda is now an important symbol and outstanding landmark of the city. The golden form of Shwedagon Pagoda could be seen on the skyline arising above the foliage of the tropical trees either from busy township of the city center, or new commercial site from east, industrial areas from west or rice field from north.



Shwedagon Pagoda at night glittering under golden light attracting children and adults, locals and foreigners, like a busy square, a religious version of bustling square. There is no religious place like this in the world.



Shwedagon Pagoda, titled as Shwedagon Zedi Daw was also named as Golden Pagoda. It was situated on top of Singuttara Hill, west of Kandawgyi Lake with a height of 98 meter.



As the legend goes: Two merchant brothers met the Buddha and received 8 pieces of hair from Buddha to be enshrined in Myanmar. With the assistance of local King Okkalapa, they found the existing spot at Singuttara Hill.



In accordance to legend and records, The Stupa was said to be 2500 years in history but by archaeologists it was believed to be built in 6th centuries, about 1500 yrs ago.



Majority of Burmese are Buddhists and they believed that a visit to Golden Pagoda is a wholesome deed.



Thousand of Pilgrims flock in during its festival in the month of March.



There are four entrances at four direction in which one is having the escalator to go into the inner site. Entrance fee for foreigners was US$5.00 per person.



Pagodas blazed in the sun.



Shwedagon Pagoda just like a Golden Mystery up-heaved itself on the horizon, Rudyard Kipling's comment in 1889.



Relics of four past Buddhas including 8 pieces of hair from Gautama Buddha were enshrined in this sacred Golden Pagoda.



It is a good karma to walking clockwise around a pagoda especially when it was enshrined with Buddhas relics.



Pagoda Complex at sunset moment.



Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist Pagoda for all Burmese.



Pagodas have been built and rebuilt, gilded and re-gilded, nothing is likely to be old except whatever hidden deep inside the Stupa.



Burmese people building Pagodas for merits and knocking the bells for sharing the merits.



Shwedagon Pagoda is a magical place that people keep on coming back again and again.



The existing Pagoda was actually rebuilt several times in different century by various kings until the height of today.



Shwedagon Pagoda Building Complex is an important religious site in Myanmar.