The Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon Pagoda (Image from the 180books.org Photo Collection by George Edward Giunca)
There are some really wild legends about how this pagoda came into being, but I’m going to skip all of that, because this pagoda is interesting enough, without fantasy. Historians estimate that the pagoda was built by the Mon people, sometime between the 6th and 10th Centuries. Since then, earthquakes and time have ravished the pagoda, and it has been repaired or rebuilt many times, usually adding to its height each time.
The crown or “umbrella” is said to be tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. At the very top is a 76 carat diamond, which can be observed through a telescope at the temple. The gold covering is said to be genuine gold plates that have been attached using rivets. Donations of gold from all over the country are accepted to maintain its appearance. Kings and queens have donated gold personally throughout the Centuries, beginning with the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who donated her weight in gold, in the 15th Century.
The atmosphere around the temple feels very holy and spiritual, especially
at twilight. There is a constant flow of pilgrims coming and going, and engaging in various merit making rituals. Some pour holy water over a Buddha statue representing their day of birth, others light candles and joss sticks while praying silently, meditating or chanting. Other rituals include circumambulating the pagoda, three times in a clockwise direction, or using
a miniature electric powered sled to send offerings to the very top.
Every trip to this pagoda seems different, as there is always something new to see. On one occasion, the entire pagoda was covered in bamboo scaffolding to make repairs. To appease my obvious disappointment, the guide showed us a little-known area, where we could see the light reflecting off the large diamond, in different colors of the spectrum. Shhhhh! Our secret!
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