Kaungmudaw Pagoda
Sagaing
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, located on the northwestern outskirts of Sagaing in central Myanmar, is a distinctive Buddhist stupa notable for its rare egg-shaped design inspired by Sri Lanka's Ruwanwelisaya pagoda. Constructed during King Thalun's reign starting in 1636 and completed in 1648, the pagoda stands 46 meters high with a circumference of 274 meters. Unlike traditional Burmese pyramidal pagodas, it features an arched image chamber at its base housing a colossal 7.3-meter-high seated Buddha statue carved from solid white marble, with the statue's head alone measuring approximately 2.4 meters in diameter. The pagoda's lowest terrace is adorned with 120 statues of nats and devas and encircled by 802 stone lanterns inscribed with Buddha's life stories in Burmese, Mon, and Shan languages, reflecting the cultural regions of the historic Toungoo Kingdom. The dome has been continuously painted white, symbolizing purity following Ceylonese tradition. Inside the relic chamber, it is believed to enshrine sacred relics including the Buddha's lower left tooth, hair relics, an alms bowl, and other religious artifacts. This pagoda serves as an important pilgrimage site and tourist attraction in Sagaing, embodying both spiritual significance and architectural uniqueness.
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Astuce: Visitors are advised to plan their visit during the dry season for comfortable weather. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended during peak pilgrimage periods. Modest dress is required to respect the religious nature of the site. Photography is generally allowed but should be done respectfully, especially inside the pagoda. Be aware that recent government initiatives to paint the dome gold have been controversial among locals.
Faits intéressants
- •The pagoda's dome is egg-shaped, a rare form among Burmese pagodas, inspired by Sri Lanka's Ruwanwelisaya.
- •The massive seated Buddha statue inside is carved from a single block of white marble and stands 7.3 meters tall.
- •The stone lanterns around the pagoda bear inscriptions of Buddha's life in three languages: Burmese, Mon, and Shan.
- •The hti (umbrella) atop the pagoda weighs approximately 3.5 kilograms and measures nearly 8 meters in height.
- •The relic chamber reportedly contains the Buddha's lower left tooth and 11 hair relics, among other sacred items.
Histoire
Construction of Kaunghmudaw Pagoda began on April 25, 1636, under King Thalun and was completed twelve years later on May 12, 1648, near the end of his reign.
The pagoda was modeled after Sri Lanka's Ruwanwelisaya and distinguished by its unique egg-shaped dome, differing from traditional Burmese pyramidal stupas.
Over centuries, the pagoda has maintained its religious significance as a repository of important Buddhist relics and a pilgrimage destination.
In recent years, the government’s attempt to paint the dome gold sparked local criticism, reflecting ongoing cultural sensitivities.
Guide du lieu
Seated White Marble Buddha Statue17th century
A monumental 7.3-meter-high Buddha statue carved from solid white marble, housed within the pagoda’s central arched chamber. The statue is notable for its size and the 2.4-meter diameter of its head.
Stone Lanterns and Terraces17th century
The lowest terrace features 120 statues of nats and devas and is ringed by 802 stone lanterns inscribed with narratives of Buddha’s life in Burmese, Mon, and Shan languages, representing cultural diversity.
Pagoda DomeCompleted 1648
The large, white egg-shaped dome, continuously painted to signify purity in the Ceylonese tradition, crowns the structure and distinguishes it from typical Burmese stupas.