Botataung Pagoda
Panoramic view of Botataung area
Botataung Pagoda
Botataung Pagoda, Yangon Overview
The Botataung Pagoda is an ancient Buddhist temple located on the banks of the river in the city of Yangon in Myanmar. It is known for the relics that have been obtained about 2500 years ago, making it one of the prominent places of worship for the people of Myanmar. The tall golden stupa and its excellent location overlooking Yangon river make the Botataung Pagoda worth a visit for tourists in the city.
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Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Botataung Pagoda is early in the morning around sunrise or in the evening around sunset when the temple is lit.
What to wear
Women need to cover their shoulder at all times and wear knee-length attire. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are also not allowed for both men and women. You can borrow Longyis (long cloth worn by Burmese men), which are available at the ticket counter if you are wearing shorts. Before entering the temple grounds, you need to remove shoes and socks.
Botataung Pagoda History & Significance
The Botataung Pagoda, also called Botahtaung Pagoda, was built in the 15th century by the Mon people. The present temple is a renovated version which was built in the 1950s, after partial destruction during the WWII by airforce bombings.
It translates to 1000 military leaders in the local language. The temple got its name as there was a huge fight that occurred when eight relics of the Buddha's hairs were brought from India to Yangon, to be enshrined initially by building a pagoda. Today only one hair relic resides in the Botataung Pagoda, while the others are distributed between the Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas.
It translates to 1000 military leaders in the local language. The temple got its name as there was a huge fight that occurred when eight relics of the Buddha's hairs were brought from India to Yangon, to be enshrined initially by building a pagoda. Today only one hair relic resides in the Botataung Pagoda, while the others are distributed between the Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas.
Architecture
The main stupa stands at the centre of the complex on an elevated platform surrounded by many smaller shrines on the tiled floor.
The unique feature of the Botataung Pagoda is that unlike other stupas, the central stupa is hollow and contains the hair relic enshrined. At the centre of the pavilion, on a high pedestal is the image of the Buddha made of iron, which is surrounded by intricately decorated walls.
The public can walk through the chambers in the stupa passing through glass walkways, where relics, artefacts and decorations using precious stems and stones can be seen. One of the chambers is important, which was discovered while renovating the pagoda after the war. It contains hundreds of sacred scripts, artefacts, paintings and images of the Buddha.
The unique feature of the Botataung Pagoda is that unlike other stupas, the central stupa is hollow and contains the hair relic enshrined. At the centre of the pavilion, on a high pedestal is the image of the Buddha made of iron, which is surrounded by intricately decorated walls.
The public can walk through the chambers in the stupa passing through glass walkways, where relics, artefacts and decorations using precious stems and stones can be seen. One of the chambers is important, which was discovered while renovating the pagoda after the war. It contains hundreds of sacred scripts, artefacts, paintings and images of the Buddha.
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