Yangon, Myanmar (Shwedagon Pagoda) (11/2006)

Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon, Myanmar) cover page.	Map of Myanmar with star indicating Yangon.	Passageway to the Shwedagon Pagoda.	An amazing tree and a Buddha statue near the entrance.
Close-up of the Buddha.	These paintings at the entrance depict stories of Buddha.	Another religious painting at the entrance.	View as you walk into the Shwedagon Pagoda.
People mulling around the pagoda grounds.	View of the golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda.	The golden stupa measures 98 meters high.	Shwedagon Pagoda is considered to be one of the "Seven Forgotten Wonders of the Medieval Mind."
"Shwe" means gold and Dagon is a former name of Yangon. Hence, Shwedagon means the golden pagoda at the city of Dagon (Rangoon).	The Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to have been built nearly 2,600 years ago (during the Buddha's life time).	Women washing the Buddha statue.	Washing the Buddha is a popular religious ritual in Myanmar.
Some of the amazing architecture around the Shwedagon Pagoda grounds.	A unique red-pointed rooftop.	Some of the many sculptures around the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Close-up of a bird-like sculpture.
Carrying a load of bananas.	Worshippers praying to several of the many Buddhas at Shwedagon Pagoda.	More amazing architecture at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	More architectual details.
Adjoining the pagoda are a number of smaller shrines housing pre-Buddhist spirits called "Nats".	I am taking in the exotic beauty of the pagoda grounds.	The entire temple complex permeates beauty and serenity.	A unique housing for this Buddha sculpture!
A stupa view with people washing the Buddha below.	Close-up of people washing the Buddha.	A cute but unhappy boy!	A boy with thanakha on his face (tree bark used as a sun block).
Rudyard Kipling wrote the Shwedagon Pagoda is "a golden mystery" and "a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun."	Kipling also described the shape as "neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple-spire."	More statues and shrines found at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	A reclining Buddha at Shwedagon Pagoda.
Some of the many monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	The monks are hanging out with this tourist.	Hanging out with more tourists.	Worshippers at one of the pagoda's shrines.
Monk standing in front of some beautiful silver columns.	A gorgeous white building adorning the pagoda grounds.	Sculpture with spires in the background.	More sculpture views.
Another sculpture view with spires in the background.	A woman stringing beads on the pagoda grounds.	Stupa view with an interesting spire on the right.	The MahaGanda Bell, cast in 1779 at the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Another view of the MahaGanda Bell.	Taking a mid afternoon nap on a hot day!	The Museum of the Shwedagon building on the pagoda grounds.	A monk contemplating the golden stupa.
The golden stupa view minus the monk.	Elephant sculptures at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Nice doorway and sculptures.	A golden Buddha image.
Close-up of the golden Buddha image.	Another Buddha getting washed.	Flowers are also offered to the Buddha.	Beautiful tile work and metal work adorning this shrine.
Close-up of the shrine.	This interesting tower is found at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Close-up of the tower.	These dragons are fabulous!
A legion of ladies sweeping up.	Sweeping the pagoda is a daily ritual.	The women are intent on their work.	Nothing is getting past them!
Close-up of the cleanup crew.	Tourists snapping pictures as they go by.	An interesting building and rooftop framed by palm trees.	Close-up of the building and rooftop.
One of many cool dragons to be seen at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	This spire was apparently under renovation.	A decorative assortment of fruit on display.	Flower and souvenir stand at the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Nice stupa view under a from a covered spot.	Buddhas and statues with a shiny metal background.	An amazing elongated rooftop that I saw at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Details of the rooftop.
An interesting tower at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Another shrine with more Buddhas.	Nice backdrop for this sculpture.	I passed by these women who were having singing practice.
These people were worshipping out in the open.	Close-up of the worshippers.	These monks were worshipping in the front.	A man worshipping this Buddha image.
A fabulous dragon done with tile and metal work.	Close-up of the dragon.	Monks strolling in front of some spires at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Some beautiful sculptures seen at the pagoda.
More sculptures.	More sculptures in front of beautiful golden architecture.	Sculpture details.	Here I am offering flowers to the Buddha.
Green dragon sculptures with figures below.	More detail of the green dragon sculptures.	A monk passing by with spires and towers in the background.	More worshippers. I wonder what was on television!
Close-up of the shrine.	A row of Buddhas at another shrine.	Beautiful architectual details at the Shwedagon Pagoda.	Note the sculpture framed on this tower.
Buddhas in shiny metallic surroundings.	A flawless golden Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda.