Novice Monks Praying in front of the Main Stupa of the Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda) at Dusk | Yangon (Rangoon) | Myanmar (Burma)

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Gleaming in gold and decorated with diamonds, the huge Shwedagon Pagoda (also Shwe Dagon Pagoda or Shwedagon Paya) in Yangon is a spectacular work of Burmese temple architecture and is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Myanmar. The pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to house the eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. The central stupa is 107m high and is covered with about 60 tonnes of gold leaf. The gilded hti at the top is hung with gold and silver bells and studded with gems. The Shwedagon Pagoda is revered by the Burmese Buddhists because it is said to contain the relics of all four Enlightened Buddhas not just the relics of the present Gautama Buddha. It is truly one of the world’s great and active spiritual sights.

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Size: 3322px × 4982px
Location: Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Photo credit: © Igor Prahin / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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