About Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines in Myanmar, located on the shores of picturesque Inle Lake in Shan State. Its main sanctuary houses five small Buddha images that have been covered with so many layers of gold leaf applied by devotees over centuries that they have transformed into amorphous golden lumps, unrecognizable as their original forms.
These sacred images are believed to have been brought to Inle Lake by King Alaungsithu of Bagan in the 12th century. According to local legend, they possess supernatural powers and are highly venerated by the Intha people (lake dwellers) and pilgrims from across Myanmar.
The pagoda is famous for its annual festival held during the Myanmar lunar month of Thadingyut (September-October). During this 18-day celebration, four of the five Buddha images are placed on an ornate royal barge shaped like a mythical bird called a Karaweik. They are then ceremoniously rowed around the lake, visiting various villages in a spectacular procession of boats. One image always remains at the temple as tradition holds that when all five once traveled together, the barge capsized.
The monastery complex features beautiful woodcarvings, gilded pillars, and a distinctive multitiered roof in traditional Myanmar architectural style. For visitors to Inle Lake, Phaung Daw Oo represents an essential cultural and spiritual landmark that showcases the deep Buddhist faith central to Myanmar's identity.
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