Shwezigon Pagoda

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The Shwezigon Pagoda (Burmese: ရ္ဝ္ဟေစည္‌းခုံစေတီတော္‌) is a famous Buddhist temple located in Nyaung Oo, a town near Bagan, in Burma. (These cities are located in Myanmar.) It is a prototype of Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawratha and was completed during the reign of King Kyanzittha, in 1102. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyanzittha.

[edit] References

• [1955] (1975) Pictorial Guide to Pagan. Rangoon: Ministry of Culture. 
• Fiala, Robert D. (2003). Shwezigon Paya (late 11th century). Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.