About Shwezigon Pagoda
The main stupa is surrounded by smaller stupas, prayer halls, and shrines dedicated to nats (spirits), reflecting the synthesis of traditional Burmese spirit worship with Theravada Buddhism. Four shrines containing bronze Buddha images face the cardinal directions around the central structure.
Intricate carvings and glazed terracotta plaques depicting Buddhist jataka tales adorn the terraces, showcasing the artistic sophistication of the early Bagan period. These narratives illustrate previous lives of the Buddha and serve as educational tools for devotees.
Shwezigon marks the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the dominant faith in Myanmar. It remains an active place of worship and pilgrimage, with devotees often applying gold leaf to the structure as an act of merit-making.
The pagoda is particularly magnificent at sunrise and sunset when the golden stupa captures the changing light, creating a luminous centerpiece in the ancient Bagan archaeological landscape.
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