
Four Novices
In the beautifully lit, covered south-entrance causeway leading to Shwezigon Pagoda, four young novices walk with their begging bowls.
Bagan, in Central Myanmar, is known for its temples.
Not all its temples, however, are ruined relics of the Pagan Empire (9th to 13th Century). Others – like the beautiful Shwezigon Pagoda – are still living, breathing places.
Shwezigon was Pagan’s first Buddhist temple. It was started by King Anawrahta after he took the throne by force in 1044, unified the country, and introduced Theravada Buddhism to the people. Most accounts agree he died in 1077 or 1078: before the elaborate pagoda was completed. One story says he was killed by a wild buffalo; others mention only the phase of the moon at the time of his death. The Shwezigon complex, somewhat modified from Anawrahta’s original plans, was completed in 1102, under his son, King Kyanzittha.
The symmetrical pagoda is 160 feet high and 160 feet square at the base. It sits in a square compound, where it is surrounded by smaller temples and shrines – and flanked by typical burmese markets, crowded full of people.

Women in the Market

Burmese Child

Smoking Woman

Mother and Child
Everyone in the market is wearing their protective thanaka powder.

Burmese Child
Children learn the “V” sign early.

Saleswoman in Pink

Mother and Baby

Baby in the Market

Shwezigon Pagoda
The prototypical circular Burmese stupa: the gold-leaf gilded Shwezigon Pagoda sits in at the centre of a square compound.

Golden Lion
Stylised lions guard the pagoda.

Plaque in Marble and Gold
Richly decorated Burmese prayers punctuate the courtyard.

Brass Flower Trees, Stone Almes Bowls, and Incense Burners

Nun Praying
In pavilions around the pagoda, there are plenty of peaceful places to sit.

Nun with a Book of Prayer

Book of Burmese Prayer

Barefoot
Pilgrims and visitors carry their shoes through the covered causeway leading to the pagoda.

Three Novices

Novice

Running Novices
Our photo-group leader Karl Grobl and local guide Mr MM have persuaded the Abbot to let us “borrow” a few novices –

Jumping Novice
– and we encourage them to engage in some un-novice-like behaviour.

Running Novice
The novices clearly enjoy the task that has been set for them –

Running Novice
– flying down the sedate, grand, covered causeway at Shwezigon’s South Entrance –

Running Novice
– with great enthusiasm.
With roots in Bagan’s rich history, Shwezigon is a beautiful temple to visit.
My visit was only made better by the novices, the nuns, and the other people who comprise the life within the compound perimeters.
Keep Smiling!
Pictures: 18September2012
Beautiful pictures & good story
Thanks to my best fan. 😀
Nice set of photos. Really brought back memories.
Thanks, Katy. It was nice going back to the pictures – I still have so many more! Not to mention all my flowers from California. 😉
Amazing pics as always 🙂
Thanks for the “visit”, Sue – and for the lovely comments. 😀
nice report and photos Ursula. I love the smoking woman, I smoked cigars too many year ago.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/reisgekki/2912031546/in/set-72157607848475477
greetings, Dietmut
😀 I bought some little cigars in Myanmar and was sorely tempted, Dietmut – – but I knew I would love them too much and my doctor would notice. 😉
It is of course better, if we are strong and not smoking Ursula.
Warm greetings, Dietmut
Indeed, Dietmut! 😀