Sule Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda in downtown Yangon, Myanmar
Sule Pagoda is an octagonal Buddhist structure in the center of Yangon, Myanmar, with a gilded tower made of multiple rings of bells. Each outer side holds a shrine, while the base is surrounded by columns and terraces that visitors can walk around.
The construction took place over 2000 years ago during the Mon rule and was meant to house a strand of Buddha's hair according to local tradition. British colonial planners used it in the 19th century as a reference point for the street grid of the growing capital.
The name derives from the Sanskrit word "Sule," referring to a spirit who is said to have helped Buddha choose the location. The interior displays eight shrines, one for each side of the tower, where believers place flowers and incense sticks as daily offerings.
Foreign visitors pay 5000 kyat for entry and must remove their shoes and wear appropriate clothing before entering the inner temple areas. The best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon, when fewer people are around and the light is better for photos.
The temple houses eight planetary posts where believers pray according to the day of the week they were born, following Burmese astrology. Each post carries an animal symbol connected to a specific planet and day of the week.
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