Unraveling the Mysteries of Temples and Pagodas in Myanmar

The Shwedagon Pagoda houses 8 strands of the Buddha's hair; the king ordered the execution of the monks who constructed the Ananda Temple.

Exploring the Enigma of Temples and Pagodas in Myanmar

Myanmar is globally renowned for its myriad ancient temples, boasting unique architectural marvels. Behind these grand structures lie numerous mysteries known to only a few.

The Shwedagon Pagoda holds 8 strands of the Buddha's hair

The Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred golden shrine in Myanmar, located in the city of Yangon, adorned with golden spires and studded with thousands of diamonds and rubies on its apex. According to legend, two brothers from the city of Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan) encountered the Buddha and were gifted with 8 strands of his hair. They then journeyed to Burma (now Myanmar), where, with the assistance of the local ruler, they discovered the Singuttara Hill – the site where this pagoda was constructed. The central stupa atop the main dome of the temple is adorned with a crown encrusted with over 7,000 diamonds and gemstones. The largest among them is a 74-carat diamond.

The architect of Ananda temple was assassinated.

Ananda, a revered temple in Bagan, was constructed based on the insights of 8 monks from Nandamula temple in the Himalayas. Legend has it that upon its completion, the king ordered the monks' execution to preserve the uniqueness of the temple.

Bagan once boasted over 10,000 temples, pagodas, and monasteries.

Bagan served as the ancient capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first unified kingdom of present-day Myanmar. Over a 250-year dynasty, Pagan kings and citizens erected over 10,000 religious monuments across 104 km². Today, only about 2,200 temples and pagodas from this era remain.

The construction of Shwezigon Pagoda was decreed by a white elephant.

Shwezigon is another sacred ancient temple in the Bagan region. It is believed that the temple's location was determined by a white elephant bearing the marks of Buddha's frontal bone. The elephant was allowed to roam freely in the area, and wherever it halted, the site was designated for temple construction. Situated at the heart of a vast area, surrounded by numerous shrines and temples, Shwezigon boasts a magnificent pagoda-like structure reminiscent of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

The imposing Dhammayangyi Temple was erected by a ruthless monarch.

Constructed of baked bricks amidst the famed ancient Bagan complex stands the Dhammayangyi Temple, resembling a colossal, dominating pyramid, overshadowing all other edifices. This pyramid-like structure is starkly different from traditional Myanmar Buddhist temples, which typically feature stupa-shaped spires reaching towards the sky.

Even today, the people of Myanmar still lack an explanation as to why King Narathu chose this architectural style. Legend has it that King Narathu murdered his father and brother to ascend the throne. However, upon his coronation, perhaps due to remorse for his wicked deeds, he ordered the construction of a temple to worship the Buddha. Within it, one entrance houses two Buddha statues, believed to be representations of his father and brother.

According to interpretations found in ancient texts, these are statues of the two revered Buddhas: Shakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. Myanmar folklore depicts King Narathu as extremely harsh; he was willing to sever the hands of any laborer if the temple construction was not perfect, ensuring that the bricks were tightly fitted together to the extent that not even a needle could pass through.

The Pindaya Caves harbor around 9,000 Buddha statues.

Located in the Shan State of Myanmar, the limestone Pindaya Cave system is renowned for its multitude of Buddha statues, each showcasing unique artistic styles that have persisted through centuries. The Pindaya Caves, where relics dating back to the 18th century are enshrined, serve as a significant pilgrimage site for Myanmar Buddhists and a captivating tourist destination for international visitors.

According to legend, during the visit of Lord Buddha to this land for preaching, he bestowed upon the monk Taik Tha a strand of hair. This strand of hair was enshrined in a stone within a small temple situated on Kyaikhtiyo Hill. However, women are forbidden to touch the stone and hence are also not allowed to cross the nearby bridge.

As reported by The Sacred Chronicle/The Star

***

Reference: Travel Handbook by Mytour