Architecture of monasteries stupas and shrines atop Mt Poppa Burma Myanmar
Southwest of Mount Popa is Taung Kalat (pedestal hill), a 737 metre (2,417 ft) sheer precipice of volcanic plug. A Buddhist monastery is located at the summit of Taung Kalat. At one time, the Buddhist hermit U Khandi maintained the stairway of 777 steps to the summit of Taung Kalat. It is also sometimes called Mount Popa, but to avoid confusion the big volcano with its huge crater blown open on one side is generally called Taung Ma-gyi (mother hill). From the top of Taung Kalat, one can enjoy a panoramic view in all four directions. One can see the ancient city of Bagan; behind it to the north, the massive solitary conical peak of Taung Ma-gyi rises like Mount Fuji in Japan. There is a big caldera, 610 metres (2,000 ft) wide and 914 metres (3,000 ft) in depth so that from different directions the mountain takes different forms with more than one peak. The surrounding areas are arid, but the Mt Popa area has over 200 springs and streams. It is therefore likened to an oasis in the desert-like dry central zone of Burma. Plenty of trees, flowering plants and herbs grow due to its fertile soil from the volcanic ash. The name Popa is indeed believed to come from the Pali word 'popa' meaning flower. Prominent among the fauna are monkeys that have become a tourist attraction on Taung Kalat. Mount Popa is considered the abode of Burma's most powerful Nats and as such is the most important nat worship center. It has therefore been called Burma's Mount Olympus. Brother and sister Mahagiri (Great Mountain) nats, from the kingdom of Tagaung at the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy, sought refuge from King Thinligyaung of Bagan (344-387). Their wish was granted and they were enshrined on Mt Popa. Popa Medaw (Royal Mother of Popa), who according to legend was a flower-eating ogress called Me Wunna, lived at Popa. She fell in love with Byatta, whose royal duty was to gather flowers from Popa for King Anawrahta of Bagan (1044-1077).
Size: 5288px × 3472px
Location: Mt. Popa, Taung Kalat hill, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma)- Southeast Asia
Photo credit: © RFPMtPopa / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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