Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Main Stupa structure

At the centre of the main platform is the main structure of the Shwedagon Pagoda. It is a massive gold covered stupa with the height of 99 meters (326 feet), and a circumference of 433 meters (1,421 feet) at the level of the main platform. The main stupa structure is octagonal in shape and is surrounded by 64 small stupas – 8 stupas on each side (8×8). There are four large stupas at each cardinal point directly across each stairway (north, south, east and west). At each corner of these small stupas is Manoksiha (or) Manokthiha, Burmese version of sphinx with head of a guardian spirit (dewada) and two conjoint bodies of chinthe (lion). This is a mythological creature believed to guard religious structures. There are also a number of chinthes guarding the main stupa.

The complex structure of Shwedagon Pagoda can be broken down into three main parts:

• The octagonal base
• The bell shaped dome
• The conical shaped spire

The octagonal base is made up of three terraces which recede upward on each other. The first part is the square plinth which is 6.4 meter high. Above this square plinth are octagonal terraces (paccaya). The four sides at the cardinal points (north, south, east and west sides) have straight edges; while the other four sides in between them have serrated edges. Above this structure is the octagonal dais called shit-mhaung (eight edges).

Shwedagon Pagoda Main Stupa

The dome part of the Shwedagon Pagoda consists of many parts, among which the most prominent part is the bell or khaung-laung, above which is the inverted alms bowel (tha-beik-mhauk). The shoulder or upper part of the bell is decorated with 16 beautiful petals.

The conical shaped spire is made up of seven circular bands (phaung-yit) at the base. Above these circular bands is a structure reminiscent of the “Lotus Throne”: an upturned lotus (kya-lan) and an inverted lotus (kya-hmauk). This lotus structure usually serves as pedestal for some Buddha images. The third part is the elongated tear shaped structure, called nga-pyaw-bu or banana-bud. The top part of the spire is hti or umbrella.

The hti or umbrella of the Shwedagon Pagoda is worth mentioning. It is adorned with 5448 diamonds, and 2317 rubes, sapphires and other gems. There are 1065 golden bells in this hti. In the middle of the hti is a 76 carat diamond.

Most modern pagodas in Myanmar follow this structure and most pagodas more or less look like the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Related posts:

1. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures in north west corner
2. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Floor Plan and Map
3. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – South East of the terrace
4. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – History
5. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda