About Shwedagon Pagoda
History of Shwedagon Pagoda


Name
SHWEDAGON PAGODA

Height

Area of land
114 acres
In the year 103 of the Mahā Sakkarāja Era (588 BC), after attaining enlightenment as the Gotama Buddha, he journeyed through the Seven Places of Enlightenment-Attainment. During this time, two merchant brothers named Tapussa and Bhallika from the Ukkalāpajanapada offered him rice cakes and honey. The Buddha graciously gave them eight strands of his hair. The brothers carried these sacred relics back to Ukkalāpa. Upon their return, the King of Ukkalāpa, along with the townspeople, welcomed and revered these relics.
The inhabitants of Ukalāpa, under the guidance of King Ukalāpa, enshrined the sacred relics of previous Buddhas at the Siṅguttara Hill. These relics included the staff of Kakusandha Buddha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana Buddha, the robe of Kassapa Buddha, and eight strands of hair from Gotama Buddha. They constructed and venerated the Shwedagon Pagoda, which stands at a height of 66 meters (216 feet) with dimensions of 44 meters by 20 meters. Due to the presence of the relics from these four Buddhas, the pagoda earned the title “Shwedagon Pagoda of the Four Sacred Relics.
From approximately 600 BCE to the 14th century CE, 32 successive kings of Ukalapa maintained and enhanced the Shwedagon Pagoda. From 1372 CE onwards, it was further preserved and renovated by kings such as King Byinnya U, King Byinnya Yan, and King Byinnya Kyan Htaw. In 1453 CE, under the reign of Queen Shin Saw Pu, the height of the pagoda was increased to 302 feet. In 1774 CE, during the reign of King Hsinbyushin, it was raised to its current height of 326 feet (99.36 meters).

The Diamond Bud
The Diamond Bud is a remarkable feature perched atop the pinnacle of the pagoda’s spire, against the backdrop of the clear sky. The Diamond Bud, adorned with gemstones arranged in a floral pattern, is topped by a large diamond of approximately 76 carats. This central diamond is surrounded by three smaller diamonds, each set in a spear-like design. The Diamond Bud itself, entirely made of gold, stands 1 foot 10 inches tall, with a diameter of 10.5 inches and a width of 31.4 inches. It is embellished with 431 diamonds surrounded by other gems totaling 930 stones. In addition to the jewels, the Diamond Bud features depictions of the Buddha, the pagoda, peacocks, small bells, and fans, all meticulously crafted and inlaid with diamonds. The sparkling, radiant Diamond Bud is a sight to behold, offering a mesmerizing view to all who gaze upon it.
The Triangular Vane
The Screw Pine Flower
The Umbrella (Hti)
• Total layers: 7 layers
• Height: 43 feet (13 meters)
• Widest diameter: 15 feet 6 inches (5 meters)
• Weight of the gold: 0.5 tons (500 kilograms)
Interesting Facts of Shwedagon Pagoda


The Diamond Bud
Height | 2 inches (56 cm) |
Diameter | 10.5 inches (27 cm) |
Number of Diamonds | 4351 |
Carats | 1800 |
Diamond | 76 carats ( 87 rati ) |

The Triangular Vane
The longest place | 4 feet 2 inches (130 cm) |
Widest point | 2 feet 6 inches (76 centimeters) |
Weight | 924 pounds (419 kilograms) |

The Screw Pine Flower
Height | 12 feet |
Largest diameter | 3 feet, 4 inches |
Narrowest diameter | 1 foot, 8 inches |
Various gemstones | 886 characters |

The Main Shaft (Pan Le Daing)
Length | 38 feet, 4 3/4 inches (from the base of the bronze pillar to the base of the diamond head), |
Root diameter | 4 inches |
Diameter of the tip | 2 23/32 inches |

The Umbrella (Hti)
Height of the umbrella | 43 feet, 8 inches |
Common ground | 7 cents |
First realm, (lower realm) height | 3 feet, 3 inches |
Seventh realm (the highest realm) height | 1 foot, 6 inches |
The widest (bottom) diameter | 15 feet, 6 inches |
The narrowest realm (the highest realm) diameter | 3 feet, 6 1/4 inches |
Various jewelry | 838,350 items |
Golden bell | 4016 characters |
Silver bell | 474 letters |
Gold, silver, bronze bells | 793 letters |
Goldenrod | 1805 leaves |
Jewel gold box | 9 items |
Weight of gold | 500 kilograms |
Weight of the umbrella | 6.3 tons |

About Pagoda
Treeaces | 62 ft,4 in |
Octagon | 25 ft, 10 in |
Circular Bands | 24 ft, 2 in |
Inverted Alms Bowl and Bell | 45 ft, 11 in |
Ovolo Moulding | 43 ft, 4 in |
Upturned Lotus, Inverted Lotus, Tender Lotus | 28 ft, 10 in |
Banana Bud | 51 ft, 11 in |
Umbrella (up to the Diamond Bud) | 43 ft, 8 in |
Total 326.00 ft |
The Whole Stupa
Total weight of Gold | 2034.68 viss (3.08 ton) |
Total weight of Copper | 145 ton |
Total weight of Stainless Steel | 4.47 ton |
1 sq ft Gold Plate | 33699 plates (Bell rim) |

About the Platform
Square width | 14 acres |
The north-south length of the square | 900 feet |
East-west width of the square | 700 feet |
Around the shoes | 1420 feet |
Stupas and Surrounding Stupas
Upper Platform Stupas | 69 pounds |
Square pagodas | 75 pounds |
Middle Platform Stupas | 2 pounds |
Under Platform Stupas | 3 pounds |
Brick Stupa (Gandhakuti Shrine Pagoda) | 104 |
Brick Pavilion (Gandhakuti Pavilion) | 76 |
shrine (Gandhakuri) | 47 |
Rest-house, Fane, Chapel, Pittakat Library, Monasterys – 160
Upper Platform | 1 item |
Square | 75 items |
Middle Platform | 33 items |
Under Platform | 51 items |
Elevators, escalators
South elevator | 2 |
North elevator | 2 |
East elevator | 2 |
West escalator | 6 |

About the Platform
Buddhis Trees | 5 Pic |
Bells | 30 Pieces |
High Mast | 3 |
Overhead warter tank | 2 |
Museum | 2 |
Adoration Halls | 4 |
Religious-Mall | 4 |
Flag Pole | 4 |
Umbrella(made of stone) | 3 |
Shan Umbrella | 3 |
Water Cooler Tank | 4 |
Four Walkways
Length of the Eastern walkways | 774.8 ft |
Stairs (eastern) | 204 |
Length of the Southern walkways | 770.8 ft |
Stairs (southern) | 152 |
Length of the Northern walkways | 438 ft |
Stairs (northern) | 143 |
Length of the Western walkways | 694 ft |
Stairs (western) | 164 |
Land Belonging to Pagoda
Height of Hill (above sea level) | 190 ft |
The Land of Shwedagon-area | 121.3 acre |
Historical Overview of Yangon

Yangon is the largest seaport city of Myanmar. It was previously the country’s capital until 2006 when the capital was moved to Naypyidaw, along with government offices. Yangon was then designated as the commercial capital. It is located at the convergence of North Latitude 16.46 and East Longitude 96.10. Yangon is situated at the confluence of the Yangon River which is called Hlaing River, Pazundaung Creek, and Bago River, about 21 miles inland from the sea. With tidal waters, large ocean-going vessels can access the port of Yangon. The city is well-connected by road, river, and air routes, making it a strategic hub for trade and commerce. The history of Yangon spans over 2600 years and is closely linked to the history of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Historically known as Ukkalāpa, the name changed to Dagon by the 11th century, as recorded in Mon chronicles. In 1755, during the reign of King Alaungpaya, the city was renamed Yangon.
Historical Images of Shwedagon
