Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Video #1, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Video #2, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Gyar Tawya Street and the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

This monk practiced his English with me and also invited

me to take his photo, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Visitors, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Contemplative visitors, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

A line of sweepers, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Worshipper in front of a Nat or spirit shrine, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Main pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Monk in meditation, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

 Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

 Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

ATOP SINGUTTARA HILL is the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda. The golden dome soars 99 metres (325 feet) above it's base and is regarded as the most sacred site in Myanmar. According to several internet sources, the main structure is covered with gold leaf, a tradition that began in the 15th Century. Near the point of the spire, are also thousands of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other gems too. 

Shwedagon Paya has survived numerous earthquakes but the worst came in 1768, when the top portion broke off. It's worst indignity however was perhaps in 1824-26 and 1852-29, when the British used it as a military compound.

My visit began in the middle of the afternoon and lasted for four or five hours. Time floated by here. Just like at the Suledagon, the mood was similar and ranged from reflective to festive, with crowds of worshippers walking clockwise around the base of the shining central structure. As the sun went down the effect was utterly magical. The central pagoda changed from a fiery gold to a more muted and floodlit presence. 

Given that i normally wear orthotics, walking around the complex without my arch support, was uncomfortable. Perhaps being over weight, i felt the displacement right up to my hips. One had no choice however, as shoes must be removed at all Buddhist temples, in this part of the world. At the end of my visit, i followed a ramp to an elevator and descended to the entrance, but my footwear was nowhere to be found. The temple had four entrances and slowly it became apparent that i had left by the wrong exit. I retraced my way back up the pagoda, descended another way, and there were the shoes. 

Shwedagon Pagoda - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia