Shwedagon Pagoda – Golden Symbol of Myanmar

One of the most popular Buddhist structures in all Burma is Shwedagon Pagoda. Shwedagon Pagoda is officially known by the name of Golden Zedi Daw and international tourism knows this pagoda as Golden Pagoda and Great Dagon Pagoda. This 99 meters (325 ft) pagoda can be called as the Golden symbol of Yangon, Myanmar.  This gilded stupa lies in the Singuttara Hill that is west of Kandawgyi Lake. According to Tourism Statistics, Shwedagon Pagoda is enlisted as one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

View of Shwedagon Pagoda From Platform

Shwedagon Pagoda is considered as one of the most important Buddhist shrines in Myanmar. This pagoda has helped flourishing Buddhism in Burma quite a lot. What’s even more impressive about this pagoda is that it contains the relics of the four previous Buddha’s Kalpa, as well as the original staff of Kakusandha, water filter of Konagamana, and a piece of robe believed to be worn by Kassapa. This sacred Golden Pagoda also contains eight strands of hair believed to be from the head of Shakyamuni Buddha. The golden glow of this stupa shows the unimaginable sight to all around the area and it looks like its smooth curves raise high into the blue tropical sky. The platform of Shwedagon Pagoda is around 280 by 220 meters and is believed to exist even before 2000 years ago. Local people also believed that this golden existed even before the foundation of Rangoon or Yangon.

History

The rumor about the Shwedagon Pagoda can be found ages ago. Many archeologists believed that this golden Pagoda was built around 2000 years ago whereas Buddhist legend mentioned that this gilded pagoda was built around 2600 years ago which makes it one of the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world.

Platform of Shwedagon Pagoda

According to Legend, two of the first lay disciples of Buddha, Taphussa and Bhalika met Gautama Buddha after Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. They learned primary teachings of Lord Buddha and were offered 8 strands of hairs of Lord Buddha. Later these two brothers went to ancient Burma and is believed to discovered Singuttara Hill with the great help from the local ruler, King Okkalpa. In the present, the Shwedagon Pagoda holds these 8 strands of hair inside a golden vessel studded with jewels, in the form of a mythical bird, the Karaweik.
There is a myth that upon opening the casket with Buddha’s hair inside by King Okkalpa,

“There was a tumult among men and spirits… rays emitted by the Hairs penetrated up to the heavens above and down to hell….. the blinds held objects… the deaf hear sounds…. the dumb spoke distinctly… the earth quaked…. The winds of the ocean blew …. Mount Meru shook …. Lightning flashed …. Gems rained down until they knee deep …. All trees of the Himalaya though not in season, bore blossoms and fruit.”

Later this stupa was in a very bad shape until 14th Century, when King Binnya U ordered to rebuild this magnificent stupa. King Binnya rebuilt this stupa to a height of 18m and was raised to a height of 40m after a century under the orders of Queen Binnya Thau.  But Shwedagon Pagoda suffered from series of earthquake and took much damage. The worst damage took by this golden stupa was by the massive earthquake of 1768. That was when King Hsinbyushin built and raised it to a height of 99m, whereas the new crown umbrella was put in the stupa under the donation provided by King Mindon min in 1871.

Festivals

Religious festivals occurred almost every month of the Myanmar, according to lunar calendar. These religious festivals draw a large number of Buddhist monks and devotees as well as many local devout and tourists. During the special festivals, the stairways and platform of Shwedagon Pagoda are decorated by thousands of endless streams of devotees. The most important and significant religious festivals celebrated in Shwedagon Pagoda are as follows:

1. Tabaung Festival – Held during the month of February and March. 
2. Thin-Gyan Festival – also known as Water Pouring Festival and held in April. 
3. Kasone festival – Held during the month of April and May and known as Buddha Day Festival. 
4. The Waso Festival – Held in July.
5. Thadingyut Festival – Held in October.
6. Tazaungdaing Festival – Held in November.