Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures in north west corner

In the open area to the north west of the main stupa is a small octagonal pagoda. This is the Pagoda of the Eight Weekdays (18). On each side (there are eight sides) of the pagoda is a niche, in which there is a small Buddha image. Above each Buddha image is an image of an animal that represent each day of Burmese eight weekdays.

Just near this strange octagonal pagoda is the (19) Hall of King Singu’s Bell (Maha Gandha Bell). This bell was donated in 1779 by King Singu (1776 – 1781), the fourth king of Konbaung Dynasty. The official Pali name of the bell is Maha Gandha, which means “Great Bell”. It weighs 25 tons and measure 7 feet high, 6 feet 8 inches wide at the mouth and 12 inches thick. There are twelve lines of inscription on the bell. The inscriptions describe Singu, who came to the throne on 9 June 1776, who ruled over the country of 16 provinces, cast and donated the bell to Shwedagon on 17 January 1779.

Singu’s Bell is associated with an interesting history. In 1825, British attempted to steal it from Shwedagon Pagoda. However, the ship that carried the bell to India sank in Rangoon River together with the bell. After several unsuccessful attempts to salvage the bell, British finally gave up. Then, a group of Burmese people successfully raised the bell from the river bed without using any modern techniques. The bell was then restored to its original position in Shwedagon pagoda.

North of Singu Bell is the U Po Thaung Hall (20). U Po Thaung was a land officer of the Rangoon Land Development Trust, and also served as a trustee of the Shwedagon Pagoda. This hall was built in 1923 and has 15 beautiful carved panels by U Ba Thin. These carved panels depict the efforts of King Asoka of India, who is the great patron of Buddhism who spread Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia.

To the west of U Po Thaung Hall is a small insignificant shrine called Shin Saw Pu’s Shrine (21). However, the shrine was always decorated with flowers and surrounded closely by faithful. Tradition is that the Buddha image inside this small shrine is donated by Queen Shin Saw Pu of Hansawaddi (1453 – 1472). She is the famous and beloved queen in Myanmar history who renovated Shwedagon to current shape and form. People believe this Buddha image is able to fulfill wishes and work miracles.

Buddha image in the Hall of Great Prosperity

Near Shinsawpu Shrine, around the North West corner of the terrace are two Bodhi Trees (22). These trees are usually decorated with flowers and small flags. The larger one was planted in 1903 and the smaller one was planted by U Nu, prime minister of Burma from 1948 to 1962. It was grown from the cutting from the Holy Bodhi Tree in India, which is believed to be the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained nirvana.

To the east and close to U Po Thaung’s Hall is a large Hall of Great Prosperity (23). The hall has a 9 meter (30 feet) high seated Buddha, the largest seated Buddha image in Shwedagon. Due to its large size, the hall is often used for various religious ceremonies. Every year, on the eve of Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon (October – November), there is a weaving competition of robes for Buddha, which was done in a single night. The next morning, the robes are offered to the Buddha images on Shwedagon.

Note: The Shwedagon floor plan indicating these places can be viewed atShwedagon Floor Plan.

Related posts:

1. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures in the North East
2. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Structures on the north
3. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Floor Plan and Map
4. Shwedagon Pagoda guide – structures on south and southwest terrace
5. Shwedagon Pagoda Guide – Nine wonders of Shwedagon Pagoda