U Htaung Bo Road in Yangon

Yangon and the life of its people

My first photos from our new journey to Yangon in Burma (Myanmar). During our tour in Burma in May 2012 I shot too many photos in Yangon and at the Inle Lake, so I'll share the pictures in two albums. A word to all (German) smart alecks of using the name of this country: Burma has changed its name quite often in the pass, last time to Myanmar in 1989. Other names were used as Burma, Birma (used …  (read more)
Monk praying to the Buddha in Botataung Pagoda

Monk praying to the Buddha in Botataung Pagoda

18 May 2012 1 796
The monk praying to Buddhas face and remains in deep meditation.
Buddha statue beside Botataung Pagoda

Buddha statue beside Botataung Pagoda

18 May 2012 1 536
Buddhas place is every where, here outside the pagodas premise. Worshippers pay respect to the face of Buddha.
Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda

18 May 2012 1 759
Situated right in the heart of Yangon city, Sule Pagoda is among the earliest landmarks for the city. According to the legends, Sule Pagoda was constructed during the time of Lord Buddha more than 2,500 years earlier. The pagoda rises to height of nearly 46 m and sports a peculiar octagonal shape.
Sule Pagoda and its sad history

Sule Pagoda and its sad history

18 May 2012 783
The pagodas area has been the centre of all major religious and political events in the history of Myanmar. Originally, it was built in South Indian architectural style but as the influence of Indian culture wore off, the pagoda was modified according to local styles. It is said that the pagoda houses a hair of Lord Buddha which he himself gave to two merchants. The golden dome of the pagoda is the main highlight. The Cholia Jamai Mosque at the background.
Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda

18 May 2012 699
Sadly, in both 1988 and 2007, the Sule Pagoda became the first place to witness the brutal reaction by the Burmese government against the protesters.
Yangons Sule Pagoda Road

Yangons Sule Pagoda Road

18 May 2012 675
A main road of Yangon circles in the round about of the Sule Pagoda.
Sir U Po Tha

Sir U Po Tha

18 May 2012 2 1 1266
U Po Tha one of the country's leading paddy merchants, was a very pious and generous man and donated many religious buildings like the Shwedagon Pagoda northern main pray hall this Chauk-Htat-Kyee Reclining Buddha and the Chauk-Htat-Kyee Monastery. He was knighted by the British government in 1927.
Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha Image

Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha Image

18 May 2012 1 1 1492
The image then has a length of 59.28 m and a height of 30.4 m from the surface of the couch to the halo round the head with the height of the couch itself about 2 m above the platform. Extensive reconstruction completed in 1973 extended the length of the image to 65.85 m with the height of the couch however, reduced to 1.22 m. Originally the axis of the head turned towards the west and the visage faced the south, but the reconstructed image has the head aligned towards the east and the visage facing north.
Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha Image

Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha Image

18 May 2012 5 1 1510
The Chauk Htat Gyi huge image of Reclining Buddha, built in 1966 replacing the old image built in 1907 by Sir Hpo Thar. But it was suffered damage due to climate over the years. In 1957 it was demolished and rebuilt to this structure in 1966. It measures 65 meters and is housed in an iron structure with corrugated iron sheets roof of six layers, the donor named U Hpo Thar being fired by his ambition to make it a model edifice not only in this country but in the whole world as well. By 1907, the image of the Buddha half reclining on a royal couch on his flank, one hand propping up his upper torso was completed. From afar one might have mistaken it for an image in the seated posture.
Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddhas feet

Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddhas feet

18 May 2012 2 3 658
The Buddha's foot print with the description of the lives of Buddha.
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