Must-See Buddhist temples in Yangon - For a surreal spiritual experience!

Boasting an immaculate presence and surrounded by a profound sense of tranquillity, Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the holiest Buddhist religious sites in the world. It is believed that the towering monument houses relics of the previous incarnations of Buddha of the present Kalpa. The relics that are believed to be enshrined inside the pagoda include a piece of the robe of Kassapa, the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Konagamana and eight strands of hair of Gautama. The pagoda measures 112 meters in height and it is one of the tallest structures in Yangon. What makes it more unique is, the whole pagoda is entirely plated in gold and it is adorned with precious stones such as gems, rubies and diamonds.

Located at the very heart of Yangon, Sule Pagoda is one of the oldest Buddhist shires in the country. In fact, it is one of the oldest in the world. Many believe that this temple was built even before the time of lord buddha, which makes it more than 2600 years old! Legend has it that a strand of Hair of lord buddha has been enshrined within the pagoda and lord buddha himself had given it to two Burmese merchants. Historians regard the Sule pagoda as an architectural marvel and it has its routes instilled in Indian influences. The Burmese architects have also added their own touches to the design of the stupa and it is safe to say that the Pagoda is an amalgamation of Burmese and Indian architecture! Being centrally located, travellers can easily visit the temple by a taxi from almost any part of the Yangon city. The temple is also located at proximity to popular attractions and even Yangon hotels of 5 Star rating. If you are planning your stay at a hotel establishment the likes of Sedona Yangon travel arrangements and tours to the site can easily be made by reaching out to your hotel's front desk.

Located in the Bahan township, This temple houses one of the longest reclining Buddha statues in the world which spans over 66 meters in length. Constructed in the year 1907, due to its most notable feature, the reclining Buddha, the site rapidly gained popularity and today millions of tourists and devotees visit here annually. There is also a rather interesting story about the statue of Lord Buddha, that when it was initially built, the face of Lord Buddha had not been proportioned properly and the face had remained with a rigid expression. In the 1950s realizing the issue, the statue's face was modified and Lord Buddha's facial expression was changed so that he would look compassionate and kind as he is believed to be.

Like the others, this monumental religious site is also believed to have a relic of Lord Buddha; this too is a strand of hair and it has been enshrined within the Pagoda. Historical evidence state that like the Sule pagoda this site too is ancient and it is at least 2500 years old. During the second world war, the shrine was completely destroyed and after years of restoration, it was rebuilt to match its former glory. Like the other religious sites in Yangon, This too dazzles with its magnificent outlook and it is indeed worth adding to your travel itinerary in Yangon.

Located on top of a small hill right at the opposite of Shwedagon pagoda, this religious site features elegant interiors. The site features vibrantly coloured murals of lord buddha, even the walls are adorned with art. It also houses a myriad of statues and with its brilliant offerings, this site should also be included in your itinerary if you are planning to visit a religious monument.