Mandalay Pagodas & Statues, part 1 of 2 – January 2020

Posted on by Susan

We explored three beautiful pagodas during the morning of our day tour of Mandalay. Gold and beautiful stone or tile work were prominent features of all three.

Mahamuni Pagoda – Considered the holiest shrine in Mandalay, Mahamuni Pagoda houses the beautiful 2000 year-old seated Buddha statue. The highly-revered relic extends 4 meters high, weighs 6.5 tons, and has accumulated a gold skin of over 15 centimeters thick from all the gold leaf applied by male worshippers over the centuries. Women and non-Buddhist visitors, like us, are not allowed to come close or touch the beautiful statue, whose crown features diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. If we had visited the pagoda at 4 am we would have watched monks from the nearby monastery clean and polish the Buddha’s face. The daily cleaning even includes brushing the statue’s teeth. 

  • One of several beautiful gold and red pavilions on the grounds
  • This little guy really enjoyed striking the prayer bells at the entrance to the pagoda.
  • Worshippers are prohibited from applying gold leaf to the Buddha’s face.
  • Peaceful pagoda corridor
  • One of the 252 gilded, carved columns in the pagoda

Ein Daw Yar Pagoda – The first thing we noticed when entering the 19th century pagoda was the ornate, 35 meter-tall gold stupa at the center of the complex. Ein Daw Yar, also called Royal House Pagoda, was built by King Pagan Min in 1847 at the site of his summer home during his reign as a prince. Because a monastery is part of the complex, we saw quite a few young monks and several nuns walk by as we enjoyed a short break on a shaded bench. 

  • Buddhist nuns dressed in pink habits

Shwekyimyint Paya – This pagoda complex was founded in 1167 by Prince Min Shin Saw, exiled son of King Alaungsithu and who had come to the area to cultivate rice. The ornate buildings with beautiful corridors, statues, artwork, and prayer chambers did not look 800+ years old and we did not find out if any of the original 12th century structures remain. We saw mostly women at the paya as they prayed, enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, or quietly visited with others while eating lunch. 

  • Prayer chamber for primary Buddha statue at the pagoda
  • Life-size Buddha covered in gold and jewels
  • This pagoda features many Buddha statues and prayer areas.
  • Buddhist nun
  • Clay pots with drinking water