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Phaung Daw U Pagoda is the most
famous pagoda in Inlay lake region. The pagoda houses
five small gilded images of Buddha, which have been
covered in gold leaf to the point that their original
forms cannot be seen. The five Buddha Images represents
the Kakkusandra, Kaunagamana, Kasatpa, Gautama and
Arainmareya Buddhas of this world.
Gold-covered Buddha Images
The five Buddha images are totally
covered with gold which makes the visitors not to be
able to see the original form. So, there is an old
photograph of the five original Buddha Images. Only men
are allowed to offer the gold-foil onto the Buddha
Images. Another part of the ritual for pilgrims is to
place a small robe or thingan around the images, and to
take the robe back to their houses and place it on their
own altar as a token of respect for the Buddha and his
teachings.
The five Buddha Images differ in
sizes, the smallest making nine inches tall to the
largest eighteen inches tall. The solid gold mass makes
the images extremely heavy.
History of Phaung Daw U Pagoda
The Buddha images were believed to
have been brought by King Alaungsithu of Bagan. King
Alaungsithu or Mani Sithu reigned from A.D 1112-1167,
one of the longest rulers of Bagan Dynasty. The King was
a great builder and donator of pagodas and monasteries.
He was also a very enthusiastic traveler. King
Alaungsithu spent much of his time on water journeys
both inland and abroad. Legend has it that the Barge he
used was built of the wood that contained a
philosopher’s stone. This stone gave the Barge the
supernatural power of turning into water any place the
king pointed at. So once, during one of his journeys, he
came to the Inlay Lake and the royal barge stopped at a
place. That place was marked as a sacred place and a
pagoda was built. That pagoda is now known as Phaung Daw
U Pagoda. Some local tribes from Dawei requested the
King for their stay at the lake, due to their liking of
the pleasant lake, and also for looking after the
pagoda. The King granted their stay and now, there are
Inthars of the mysterious Inlay Lake.
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Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival
The Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival is
held annually for a total of 18 days. It is one of the
most famous festivals in Myanmar. Both locals and
foreign visitors come to visit this traditional festival
in Inlay Lake, Shan State. Annually, during the Myanmar
Month of Thadingyut, usually between September and
October, the 18-days festival is held. The festival is
held with the dates according to the Lunar Calendar of
Myanmar. It begins on the first Waxing Moon day of
Thadingyut and ends a couple of days after the Full
Moon.
A large boat with a Golden Hintha (Hamsa) Bird creation
is built. The Buddha Images tour around the Inlay Lake
from village to village taking the whole 18 days on the
way. During the festival, only four of the Buddha Images
are moved onto the royal barge. One image always remains
at the temple. The decorated royal barge is towed by
several boats moving by leg-rowers of Inlay. The barge
is towed from village to village along the shores of the
lake in clockwise fashion, and the four images reside at
the main monastery in each village for the night. The
high point of the festival is on the day when the images
arrive at the main town of Nyaung Shwe, where most
pilgrims from the surrounding region come to pay their
respects and veneration by boats. There are hundreds of
floating boats from near and far.
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