Myanmar 30 Monywa Thanbodday Pagoda1 (1)

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Myanmar
Monywa
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Thanbodday Pagoda
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Constructed from 1939 to 1958 Thanboddhay Pagoda
is said by locals to be an extremely lucky site.
During WWII many bombs were dropped in the area
but never exploded on this building. Today the
temple is a riot of color with Buddhas images
from the tiny to the large everywhere, 582,363 in
all
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Two giant white elephants guarding the entrance
of Thanboddhay Pagoda
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The Thanboddhay near Monywa is a unique temple in
Burma. It is one of the most intricately
decorated temples in the country with an
extensive use of vibrant colors housing 582,363
Buddha images.
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There was a monastery here as early as the 14th
century, of which nothing is left.
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Construction of the current temple started in
1939 and was completed in 1958.
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During the second World War thousands of people
trying to get away from the war lived on the
temple grounds.
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During the 8th month of the Burmese calendar
(Tazaungmone), which marks the end of the rainy
season and the start of the winter (usually
November) the pagoda festival is held with
musical performances, dancing, lots of food and
vendors selling their wares
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Near the prayer hall is the Arlain Nga Sint, a
watchtower with an external spiral staircase. Men
can climb the tower and enjoy the overview of the
temple from the top. Women are not allowed to
climb the tower.
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Built from 1939 to 1958, clad in tons of gold and
painted retina-blinding combinations of colours,
Thanboddhay Paya is a celebration of colour as
much as a celebration of Buddha
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The main pagoda is one of the most ornate and
colorful monastery buildings in the country.
Every inch of the structure, both interior and
exterior, is covered with Buddha images.
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On its square base, each side a little over 50
meters long, are a number of receding terraces
that contain over 800 richly decorated small
pagodas. Around the base are statues of lions
and mythological creatures. At the center is a
large golden stupa topped with a hti top element.
The main stupa is 40 meters high
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The main stupa is surrounded by very colorful
small stupas and 20 large decorated pillars.
Several pavilions enshrines Buddha images, among
them a large reclining Buddha image wearing a
golden robe
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The manussiha, a combination of Pali manussa
(man) and siha (lion) is a half-lion half man
mythical creature that is symbolic of a guardian,
usually found guarding the four corners of a
pagoda. It has a human head and torso and lion
hindquarters. It is comparable to the sphinx.
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Next to the main pagoda is a large prayer hall
topped with numerous small golden stupas similar
to those of the main pagoda. Around the hall are
stucco depictions of important people like Kings
and ministers holding up sheets of paper, on
which are written rules that people should live
by.
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Text Internet Pictures Sanda Foisoreanu
Internet All  copyrights  belong to their
 respective owners Presentation Sanda
Foisoreanu  
2014
Sound Hlaing Win Maung - A cool
winter night