About Shwedagon Pagoda

History of Shwedagon Pagoda

Name

SHWEDAGON PAGODA

Height

326 feet (99.36 meters)

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).

Notable Features of Shwedagon Pagoda
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
Below the Diamond Bud, there is a Triangular Vane made of steel that supports the Vane. Its base is attached to the spire with a steel ring that allows it to rotate with the wind. To balance its weight of approximately 33 viss, a counterweight of about 15 viss is attached to the rear. The Vane measures 2 feet 5 inches at its widest point and 4 feet 2 inches at its longest point. It is intricately adorned with 1,098 diamonds and 1,338 other gemstones. The Vane is mounted on a bronze plate, which is gilded with gold plates and crafted in traditional Myanmar artistry to ensure symmetry and beauty on both sides. Setting against the backdrop of a large golden Yodaya flower, the gemstones are meticulously arranged to create a delicate and intricate appearance.
The Screw Pine Flower
It is located above the seven layers of the Umbrella Crown. It stands about 8 feet 2 inches tall with a diameter of about 3 feet 3 inches. It is crafted from small silver plates shaped into a bud form and then covered with gold plates. The Screw Pine Flower resembles the sacred Padesar tree with golden bells. It is adorned with various gemstones and its small holes are filled with silver and gold ornaments and gemstone flowers donated by the public. The Screw Pine Flower includes 348 old gemstone flowers and 208 new gemstone flowers donated by the public, along with various gold and jewelry items.
The Umbrella (Hti)
The layers of the Umbrella of the magnificent pagoda were made and installed using stainless steel. After the installation, these tiers were displayed for public veneration at the Public Square. The grand ceremony of offering the new royal umbrella to the Shwedagon Pagoda was successfully held from April 4th to April 6th, 1999, with the participation of the entire nation, led by the heads of state.
• 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

The height of the pagoda is 326 feet.

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