Myanmar is a great destination for all those culture savvy tourists. The capital Yangon itself has some iconic cultural landmarks. One such celebrated landmark is the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most celebrated one in Myanmar. Hotels in Yangon often have guests from across the world who come to visit the pagoda, hence most organise tours to this famous monument such as Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon.
The pagoda takes the shape of a cone and also it looks like it crowns the hill about one mile north of Cantonment. The pagoda is a Buddhist stupa made of solid brick and is covered with gold on the outside. It is located on a hill and rises just above 325 feet. The pagoda’s base has 64 small pagodas out of which 4 are considerably large, they are located in the centre of each side. There are also four sphinxes within the premises with 6 geographies. Other notable structures here are those of the elephants and the men kneeling, there are also pedestals around for offerings located around the base. The well-decorated base of the pagoda features 72 shrines and there are images of lions, serpents, ogres, yogis and of wathunaris. There are also embossed images of Okkalapa, the king who first built the pagoda.
There are four tunnels that are around the pagoda, which no one is sure what is inside. Some believe that they were built for protection and there are flying and turning swords within to protect the pagoda from intruders. Some also believe this could lead to Bagan and Thailand.
The pagoda is highly venerated and cherished by locals, with daily offerings as well as special festivals. One must take care to dress and behave in a respectable manner when visiting the pagoda.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.
