Experience the awe-inspiring sight of the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, more commonly known as the Golden Rock. Located in Burma, this sacred Buddhist site is home to a giant boulder – a stunning reminder of faith and devotion – that hangs precariously over a steep cliff. With a golden pagoda on top and encasing a hair relic of the Buddha, this is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees.
The Golden Rock itself is a granite boulder covered with gold leaf, standing at 7 ½ meters tall and balancing on the cliff edge with a surprisingly small contact area. It is said that due to the gold leaf and the incredible faith of the pilgrims, the rock never slips. During your Myanmar tour, visit this remarkable site and be left with a feeling of spiritual awe and wonder.
A Place of Worship for Millennia
For thousands of years, the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda has stood as a place of spiritual devotion and reverence for Buddhists in Burma. Surrounded by burning candles, chants of devotees, and the fragrance of incense sticks, pilgrims come to pay their respects and apply gold leaf to the sacred rock. Legend tells us that this revered site has been a place of worship for more than 2,600 years.
Every day, people from all walks of life come to the Golden Rock to experience a sense of peace and spiritual connection. Unfortunately, only male devotees are permitted to touch the rock, as women are forbidden from doing so. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of devotion and reverence continues to be felt by all who are fortunate enough to visit this sacred place.
Step into a place of spiritual and cultural reverence at the majestic temple, guarded by two majestic Chinthe lions at its entrance. Before entering, visitors must take off their shoes and socks and walk barefoot to the sacred grounds.
As night falls, the Golden Rock radiates an enchanting atmosphere illuminated by candlelight, with the sweet and calming aroma of incense sticks. Explore the many viewing platforms, pagodas, shrines containing Buddha images, and shrines for Nats, the Burmese spirits. After your visit, enjoy a meal or stay overnight at one of the restaurants or guest houses.
Uncovering the Mysterious Legend
Legend has it that when the Buddha travelled to the area of Kyaikto, he gave his hair relic to a hermit. The hermit then went to the King, who was said to possess magical powers, and asked him to enshrine the relic on a boulder shaped like his head.
The King found a suitable stone on the bottom of the sea and brought it to Kyaikto, where it still stands today. It is said that the Buddha’s hair relic, which is enshrined in the pagoda on top of the boulder, prevents it from crashing down.
The boat that was used to transport the boulder was said to have turned into stone. The Kyaukthanban Pagoda sits atop a large boulder nearby, which resembles the shape of a boat. Many believe that this boulder is what remains of the boat used to transport the Golden Rock.
Roadmap to the Mystical Golden Rock Pagoda of Kyaikhtiyo
The Golden Rock with the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is a spectacular sight located close to Kyaikto town, just 80 kilometers East of Bago and 160 kilometers North East of Yangon. To experience this amazing sight, it takes a bit of effort to get there. While the journey is an adventure in itself, it can also be time consuming and sometimes uncomfortable. But with a little bit of preparation, you can make the most of your trip and arrive to the breathtaking Golden Rock with the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda feeling ready and refreshed!
Start your journey to the Golden Rock with a bus or private taxi from either Yangon or Bago to Kinpun village at the base of the mountain. The winding roads up the forested mountains take around 30 minutes to Ya Thay Taung. For the last part of the journey, you can either take the one-hour walk along a road lined with souvenir shops or hire porters to carry you up to the Kyaikhtiyo Golden Pagoda in a kind of bamboo sedan chair. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget to negotiate a price before leaving. At the end of the trip, pay the porters for their hard work.
Instructions for visiting the Golden Rock in Myanmar
Visit the Golden Rock temple complex and experience a unique form of worship! Before entering the grounds, remember to take off your shoes and socks and continue the walk barefoot. For convenience, be sure to bring a bag to carry your shoes and socks with you.
The Golden Rock grounds are open daily, 24 hours a day. Entrance fee is US$ 6 per person. So come and explore this spiritual site and share in the beauty, joy, and reverence of this ancient tradition!
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