Introduction
Myanmar, known as "The Land of Pagodas", possesses many glittering pagodas. Out of these, the elegant Shwedagon Pagoda from Yangon is the most famous and also regarded as one of the world’s wonders. According to its name, “Shwedagon” means the Golden Pagoda at the City of Dragon, the former name of Yangon. It is located 190 feet above sea level atop "Singuttara Hill", the last mountain-spur stretched out from Bago Mountain Range. Actually, the Shwedagon Pagoda is more than a place of worship. It is a custodian for Myanmar arts, history and architecture.
History
According to Buddhist history, over 2600 years ago, two merchant brothers, Tapussa and Bhallika, from Paukkrawaddy of Okkalapa Kingdom went on a trading journey to India by ship and by 500 carts. They arrived at the place where the Lord Buddha sat in the bliss of emancipation under the linlun tree. It was the 49th day after his Enlightenment. They first offered him honey-ball and other cakes called Kywet-Kyit. Then they asked him to give them something for veneration. They received eight strands of Buddha’s hair. Then, they joyfully returned to Okkalapa. The King Okkalapa received the wonderful news in advance and welcomed the sacred hairs with great ceremony. Then they built a pagoda on Singuttara Hill and the sacred hairs, together with the sacred relics of three preceding Buddhas (the staff of Kakusanna Buddha, the water-fitter of Konagamana, and the lower garment robe of Kasappa Buddha), were enshrined in the pagoda, known as “Shwedagon”. Thus, Shwedagon is recognized as the most glorious pagoda in the world.
Architecture of Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda is a solid structure with no interior space, built of brick. It was structured with no iron-reinforcement or modern cement. As you see, the dominant shape of the pagoda is conical, tapering to the top. Thus, it can withstand storms and earthquake at certain measure.
A typical Myanmar style shape consists of seven general parts. The first part is a square masonry plinth, that is Plinth (pha-nut-taw) architecture style of Shwedagon Pagoda The second part is made up of receding terraces with bold mouldings, and often, projecting angles occur at this stage. The terraces are polygonal in shape and have floral edges. Above the terraces comes the bell. The bell is the representative of the hemispherical body of the ancient stupa. On top of the bell is the ringed spire telescopically tapering upwards.
At the apex of the spire are the lotus petals with a row of ornamental beads in between. Above the lotus petal mouldings is the Banana Bud. An artistic "Hti" or umbrella crowns the whole edifice. The most precious part of the pagoda is the "Hti" with "Ngetmyatna" (vane) and "Seinbu" (diamond bud). The original height of the pagoda was 66 feet. From 14th Century onwards, it was overbuilt and enlarged by successive Mon and Myanmar Kings. Major improvements were made, installing new umbrellas and great bells, gilding the pagoda and building rest-houses and prayers halls. Today, the pagoda has a height of 326 feet and a circumference of 1420 feet at the base. Shwedagon is the best specimen of Myanmar stupa architecture. The main structure of pagoda is surrounded with 64 small stupas called satellite stupas, and several kinds of figures. Therefore, the pagoda is completely symmetrical and architecturally beautiful.
Planetary Posts
Planetary posts are some specific places around the pagoda where people pouring water onto Buddha statues, offering flowers, or lighting candles to get good luck and prevent bad luck. This culture comes from Hinduism. The most common one is Astrology-fortune telling or palm reading. For Myanmar people, what day of a week they were born is very important- Monday or Tuesday, etc. Normally, there are seven days in a week, but Wednesday is split into two-Morning is Wednesday itself and the evening is regarded as Rahu, so there are eight planetary posts for eight days. Each day is represented by a symbolic animal. Tiger from East is represented for Monday born. The influencing planet is Moon. Lion from Southeast is represented for Tuesday born. The influencing planet like Mars. Tusked Elephants from South are represented for Wednesday morning born's. The influencing planet is Mercury. Dragon from Southwest is represented for Saturday. The influencing planet for the same is Saturn.Then the animal Rat from west is represented for Thursday born's. The influencing planet for the same is Jupiter. Guinea-pig from west is represented for Friday born's. The influencing planet is Venus. Garuda Bird from Northeast is represented for Sunday born's. The influencing planet is Sun. Each day represents a certain planet in Myanmar astrology, and eight posts sit at their certain corner of planetary diagram.
Nine Wonders and Other Interesting things at the Shwedagon Pagoda
Traditionally, Myanmar people believe that there are nine wonders at the Shwedagon Pagoda. Myanmar Buddhists believe these wonders could grant their wishes come true.
Tawagu Wish-Fulfilling Buddha is located in a niche behind the Eastern Stairway, on the upper platform. Only men are allowed into this upper platform but there is a television in the Eastern Devotion Hall where the CCTV image of the Tawagu Buddha Image is shown.
The Weitzer Zawgyi Pagoda (Pagoda of Wizards and Necromancers) near the Saturday Corner is in the South-West corner of the main stupa. The small pagoda is decorated with figures of wizards and necromancers.
Shin Saw Pu (Shin Saw Bu) Buddha Image near north-west corner was built by Queen Shin Saw Pu of Hansawaddy (Hanthawaddy) Dynasty, who is the one who renovated Shwedagon Pagoda to current shape and form. The Buddha image is located in the Shin Saw Pu Tazaung near King Singu’s Great Bell in the North West corner of Shwedagon.
Shin Ma Hti Buddha Image is situated on the north prayer hall of Naungdawgyi Pagoda. It is believed that the monk Shinmahti built this pagoda about one thousand years ago.
Shin Itzagawna Buddha Image is on the south of Naungdawgyi Pagoda. The Buddha image has two different sized eyes, due to the fact that the builder of this pagoda, Shin Itzagawna had one bull eye and one goat eye, replaced by magical powers to replace his lost eyes.
Sandawdwin Pagoda in the North was where Buddha’s hair was washed. The pagoda was built over the well where Buddha’s hair was washed before being enshrined inside Shwedagon Stupa.
Bo Bo Aung Shrine is in the eastern side of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Bo Bo Aung is a legendry person who is believed to have obtained a supernatural power (wizard). Tradition believes that this shrine was created by Bo Bo Aung, using his power.
Kakusandha Buddha image inside the Eastern Devotion Hall whose right hand is turned upward instead of downward. This Buddha image is also known with a number of names such as Latpetlet (Latpatlat) Buddha, Shwe Let Hlan Buddha, Yadana Labamuni Buddha and Shwe Let Pyan Buddha.
Pyadashin Buddha Image (Live Mercury Buddha). This brass Buddha is located south to the Eastern Devotion Hall of Shwedagon Pagoda, between the shrine and the Tuesday Planetary Post. It is believed that a ball of mercury (Pyadashin or Philosopher’s stone) was enshrined in the head of this Buddha image. The forehead is thus slightly protruding.
Other interesting things are king Thayarwaddy's bell, King Singu Min's bell, the Stone Monument, Rekkha Maedaw (the mother ogress), Dhama Zedi Stone Inscription, Two Pence Hall, Brahma holding Babe, Wish fulfilling square, Bo tree, Panca Rupa, Nay La Stupa , Manu Thiha and Myanmar arts containing Myanmar ten arts (ten flowers).
General Information of Shwedagon Pagoda
The pagoda is open every day of the year from 4 am to 10 pm. The time for last admission is at 9:45. The entrance fees for foreigners is 8,000 Kyats per person. The Visitor Center is usually opened from 08:00 to 21:00 hrs.
As a mark of reverence when visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, visitors should dress appropriately and modestly. No shoes and socks are allowed inside the religious compounds. Now, there are some activities done at the Shwedagon Pagoda. This includes the Tabaung Festival, which falls annually on the Full Moon Day of Tabaung (in March). This is one of the most significant Pagoda Festivals of Shwedagon.
The Thingyan festival ushers in the Myanmar New Year when for about three days, there is much mirth and revelry in water-pouring celebration everywhere. At Shwedagon, Buddha images and shrines are ceremonially washed and monks are offered sumptuous meals. On the Kasone Full Moon Day or the Buddha Day, hundreds of people and many religious groups come to pour water from silver bowls into the enclosure around the Scared Bo Tree with ceremonies and pageantry. On the Waso Full Moon Day which marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent, community prayers are held day and night. The Thadingyut festival signalizes the end of the Buddhist Lent. The Shwedagon platform appears a magnificent spectacle lit from platform to peak. During Tazaungdaing Festival, the Shwedagon is the Science of an event of national interest, the Mathothingan weaving contest. So, all the year round, there are interesting events that happen regularly at the Shwedogon Pagoda.
All in all, the Shwedagon Pagoda is undoubtedly the greatest pagoda of its kind in the world. It is really a priceless museum for Myanmar arts and crafts as well as its architecture and unique culture. Apart from enjoying its magnificent beauty, one can learn about Myanmar's skillful aesthetic values and other intriguing features. All these facts make the Shwedagon Pagoda to become a well-worth visiting destination in Myanmar.
References:
Tin Mg Oo (B.A. English), Aspects of Myanmar Culture:
Daw Khin Myo Chit, Third Edition 1995 September, Colorful in Myanmar: