Shwedagon Pagoda : A Gold and Diamond Architectural Wonder
The Shwedagon Pagoda is about 2500 years old and legend has it that it holds inside it eight hairs of Gautama Buddha – the founder of Buddhism. It is one of the most sacred and impressive sights of Burma (present day Myanmar). Legend has it that several of the Buddha’s artefacts are housed inside the pagoda. The Shwedagon Pagoda consists of hundreds of colorful temples , stupas and statues.
However, the reason we are interested in this ancient structure is purely cosmetic. While the legends and history associated with the structure make it priceless, the stupa has a golden glow about it. The stupa rises 99 meters on a hill which is 51 meters above the city. The golden glow can be attributed to the 8,688 solid gold bars plated on the lower pagoda whereas another 13,153 bars are plated on the higher pagoda. The tip of the stupa, visible only to the gods or for those who get a birds eye view of the Shwedagon Pagoda is set with 5448 diamonds, 2317 rubies , sapphires and other gems. About 1065 golden bells help in praying to the gods whereas a single 76 carat diamond winks to the gods from the very top.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is easily one of the wonders of the religious world, but located in a country that is not on the travel itinerary of most tourists, it is also one of the least known ones. If you are planning a trip to Burma / Myanmar ; make sure that this pagoda in Yangon is present on your itinerary.
Head on to Shwedagon Pagoda for more.
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