Myanmar-Land of Golden Pagodas

“In the distance I saw the pagodas for which it is renowned. They loomed huge, remote and mysterious, out of the mist of the early morning like a vague recollections of a fantastic dream” said Somerset Maugham in his famous essay, ‘Visit to the Pagodas’.

Myanmar is a sovereign country located in Southeast Asia. It is predominantly inhabited by Buddhists. The majority of the population in Myanmar is of Buddhists. As a result you will find many Buddhist temples, monasteries or Pagodas.

Pagodas are tiered structures for Buddhist religious purposes. Hence Myanmar is referred to as the Land of Golden Pagodas. Golden because of the fact that they are painted gilded white with golden.

The tourist attraction:

Though Myanmar doesn’t attract millions of tourist every year, people do visit it mainly for the pagodas. Some other tourists spots are Yangon and Mandalay; religious sites in Mon State, Pindaya, Bago and Hpa-An; nature trails in Inle Lake, Kengtung, Putao, PyinOoLwin. Pagodas add to the beauty of the city. They stand tall and gaunt shining golden. Although there is difference in their colors they don’t fail to dazzle the tourists and people. 
Their design and structure is also very beautiful with a stupa at the base and above is the bell shaped part which has carvings on it to enhance its structure. 

Out of the thousands of them, there are some very special ones and have a special importance.  Some of them are:

• Shwedagon Pagoda
• Sule Pagoda
• Botahtaung Pagoda
• Kaba Aye Pagoda
• ChaukHtatKyi
• KoeHtatKyi
• Mae Lamu Pagoda
• Kyauktawgyi
• Kyaikkalo and Kyaikkalei

Myanmar is indeed very beautiful, not only for its pagodas but also because of many lesser known Buddhist sites that are jaw dropping.