Description of the attraction
Botakhtaung Pagoda was built in the area of the same name on the banks of the Yangon River. The word "Botakhtaung" in translation means "1000 generals". This name was given to the temple by local residents in memory of an event that happened in time immemorial, when the most important relic - 6 hairs of the Buddha himself - was brought to Yangon from India. The two brothers, carrying the treasure to Burma, were accompanied by guards - 1000 brave warriors who were commanders. The hair of the Buddha was to be stored for 6 months in the Botakhtaung pagoda, while the construction of the Shwedagon pagoda was going on, for which this relic was intended. One of the Buddha's hair was donated by the king of Okkalapa to the Botakhtaung pagoda. There is an inscription about this above the entrance to the pagoda. Since then, Botakhtaung Temple has been considered one of the most visited Buddhist shrines in Yangon. Buddha hair can be seen if you walk along the left circular corridor.
The exact date of the construction of the pagoda is unknown. According to legend, this temple appeared during the life of Buddha, more than 2500 years ago. However, studies of artifacts found on the site of the pagoda indicate that the temple was built in the first millennium AD. NS. In those days, similar pagodas were being built throughout Yangon. Botachtaung's importance probably increased in the 18th century after King Alangpaya decided to turn Yangon into a center of maritime trade. The Botakhtaung stupa was depicted on a Burmese map from 1850, which means that it was considered one of the most important buildings in the city, and also was not ravaged and destroyed, like many other sanctuaries at that time. On November 8, 1943, an English bomb hit the stupa. On the advice of astrologers, the reconstruction of the pagoda began on January 8, 1948. During the excavation of the rubble, a reliquary with the hair of the Buddha was discovered.
Near the temple you can see a pond with fish, which you can treat with food sold right there.
