Lawkananda Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda on Ayeyarwady River, Bagan, Myanmar.
Lawkananda Pagoda is a temple with a cylindrical dome rising from an octagonal base featuring three tiers decorated with flower patterns in white and gold. The structure sits near the riverbank, and visitors enter through covered walkways between the protective lion statues.
King Anawrahta built this temple in 1059 to enshrine a relic of Buddha's tooth brought from Sri Lanka. The site has remained significant to worship and pilgrimage for nearly a thousand years, shaping religious practice in the region.
Mythological lion statues called Chinthes stand at the stairways, reflecting how traditional Burmese beliefs shape the structure. These guardians are part of the everyday view for monks and visitors who pass through daily.
Visitors should be prepared for stairs leading to the main temple platform and must remove shoes before entering. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense and the site is quieter.
During the annual July festival, local merchants set up food and handicraft stalls on the temple grounds despite the rainy season. This mixing of religious worship with active commerce shows how the site remains woven into daily local life.
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