Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda is an egg-shaped white pagoda in Sagaing that rises 46 meters high with a base circumference of 274 meters, housing a large marble Buddha statue at its center. Two intersecting corridors lead to the central chamber, with ornate green tile decorations adorning the ceilings and pillars, while 802 stone lanterns inscribed with tales from the Buddha's life surround the structure.
King Thalun commissioned this pagoda in 1636 to honor the establishment of Inwaa as a regional capital under the Toungoo dynasty. This construction occurred during a period when Sagaing was becoming a major religious center in the region.
The 120 nats and devas positioned around the base blend local spirit veneration with Buddhist practice, showing how both traditions coexist in Myanmar's spiritual life. Walking around these figures, visitors experience how protection spirits remain part of the faith that visitors practice today.
This site is easily walkable, allowing visitors to explore the structure from various angles while viewing the green tile decorations up close. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the paths around the building are paved and there is much ground to cover.
This structure breaks from the typical style seen in most Myanmar pagodas by adopting the distinctive dome design of Sri Lanka's Ruwanwelisaya Pagoda instead. This architectural choice makes it a rare example of cross-cultural influence in the region's religious buildings.
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