- Address: 82nd Street, Mandalay, Myanmar
- Phone: +95 9 44013 7791
- Working hours: the complex is open around the clock, museum sections from 8:00 to 17:00
- Ticket price: 1000 kyat
Mandalay is the old capital of Myanmar (new - Naypyidaw ), it is the largest center of Buddhist religion, culture, traditional crafts. The city and its environs are amazing in its beauty places, where for many centuries the historical events of Burma unfolded. Here is the most revered Buddhist shrine in the world - the lifetime golden image of Buddha, located in Mahamuni pagoda.
What to see?
The temple is in the south-west of Mandalay and is a large gilded dome-stupa. It was built by the King of the Buda Dynasty Conbaun in 1785 specifically for the placement of the Buddha statue. For its splendor and incredible beauty, pilgrims also call it the palace of Mahamuni. In 1884, the pagoda burnt down, but was later completely restored.
Near the sacred temple are several shops and a market with souvenirs, which is divided into several sections with different directions of the goods: products made of stone, wood, gilding. Also here are special offerings for the statue of Mahamuni - they are flowers, candles, aromatic sticks.
There is also a Buddhist museum on the territory of the pagoda, where they tell about the history of religion, about various places in the life of the Buddha (from his birth in Nepal and to the place where he attained enlightenment and attained nirvana). Presented here are panoramic maps (highlighted for greater effect), which show the spread of Buddhism around the world during the last twenty-five centuries. The entrance to the museum is 1000 lakh. The dress code for entering the pagoda's territory is very strict: not only the shoulders of visitors, but also their ankles should be closed. In the temple they walk barefoot or in thin nylon socks.
Description of the statue of Mahamuni Buddha
The statue of Mahamuni Buddha is one of the most revered in the world. She was brought here on elephants from the conquered Arakan kingdom. A sculpture in the temple is installed, which is crowned with seven multi-level roofs in Burmese style. Its height is about four meters, and the weight is about 6.5 tons. The bronze sculpture of Mahamuni (meaning the Great Statue), sits in the Bhumisparsh-mudra position on an elegantly decorated pedestal.
Over the centuries, pilgrims attach the plates of gold leaf to the pedestal and the whole body (except the face) of the statue of the Buddha, whose layer is about fifteen centimeters. Also on it is a lot of gold jewelry with precious stones. These are donations and gratitude from members of royal families, high-ranking officials and simply rich believers. Some give ornaments spontaneously, but there are also those who prepare in advance: they make engraving with a cherished desire that it will soon be fulfilled. So on many ornaments on the body of Gautama, you can see inscriptions in Burmese (and not only) language. By the way, if the desire is not performed for a long time, then there is a bell over the ear of the Buddha, to which one can call and remind about his request.
The statue of Mahamuni is located in a small area, but high in size, with a back wall and large archways in the side and front parts. On the pedestal for lifting and lowering are two stairs. Access to the sacred statue of the Buddha is not for everyone, but only for men. Women are allowed to pray and admire the shrine outside the room. If you come to the temple early in the morning, about four in the morning, you can observe how the monks brush the teeth of the statue with a large brush, wash and wipe it.
What else can you see in the pagoda?
In the fifteenth century, during the war with Cambodia, six large bronze statues were removed from the city of Angkor Wat: two warriors, three lions and an elephant. One of the statues embodies the mythological three-headed elephant Airavata, known in Thailand as Erawan. And two statues of soldiers in the image of Shiva, who originally stood guard in Angkor , have healing properties. In order to recover from the disease, you need to touch the statue in the place where it hurts the sufferer. These six sculptures are located in a separate building, north of the Mahamuni pagoda.
In the temple there is another Buddhist relic - a unique gon, weighing more than five tons.
How to get to Mahamuni Pagoda?
You can fly to Mandalay by plane to Mandalay Chanmyathazi Airport. You can get to the temple by public transport by bus Chan Mya Shwe Pyi Highway Station or by train Aung Pin Le Railway Station. Going to Myanmar , one should remember the unwritten rules of the Buddhists:
- Most importantly - to the Buddha you can never turn your back on when you take a photo, it's best to face it or side.
- It should be remembered that women are not always allowed to all holy places. They are categorically forbidden to touch the monks, and the items handed to him should be put side by side, and not put in hands.
- There is one more rule that forbids women to ride on the roof of the bus, as a monk can ride inside him, which will be lower, which is unacceptable for Buddhists.
The Mahamuni Pagoda always attracts both pilgrims and tourists from all over the world who dream to see and touch the famous statue of Gautama Buddha. This temple is very important for true Buddhists and has the same significance as for the Orthodox Jerusalem.
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