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Among hundreds of temples, pagodas, and monuments in Myanmar, the golden Shwedagon Pagoda stands out as the most significant and renowned structure. Almost every traveler worldwide, given the chance to visit Myanmar, cannot afford to miss this historical site situated on Singuttara Hill.
Not only holding religious significance, but the Shwedagon Pagoda also serves as a political landmark. It has witnessed numerous pivotal events such as the anti-colonial protest in 1920, the oil factory workers' strike in 1938, the 'Independence' meeting led by General Aung San in 1946, a gathering of 500,000 Myanmar citizens demanding military democracy in 1988, and the recent nationwide peaceful demonstrations in 2007. Despite enduring years of ups and downs and historical upheavals, the Shwedagon Pagoda maintains its inherent beauty.
The exact time of the Shwedagon Pagoda's construction remains unknown. According to historians and archaeologists, this pagoda is around 2500 years old, built between the 6th and 10th centuries. However, traditional sources suggest that the Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the oldest Buddhist structures, not only in Myanmar but globally.
Perched atop Singuttara Hill, the Shwedagon Pagoda is a grand complex with over 1000 surrounding smaller stupas. The central tower is a magnificent art piece, standing nearly 110m tall, adorned with thousands of golden leaves and crowned with 4531 sparkling diamonds.
Furthermore, the tower's summit boasts a total of 1065 golden bells and 421 silver bells. Whether under the daylight or evening lights, the pagoda always emanates a dazzling brilliance.
Shwedagon Pagoda, with its grand scale, stands as a hub of religion and community activities in Myanmar. Moreover, this magnificent architectural marvel holds significant importance as a tourist destination. Some even say that your journey to Myanmar remains incomplete without a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda.
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Source: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourOctober 15, 2015
