Golden Rock in Myanmar

KYAIKTIYO PAGODA also known as GOLDEN ROCK is a well-known Buddhist Pilgrimage site in Mon State, Myanmar.

             The Golden Rock has a small Kyaiktiyo Pagoda built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees, and it is about 25 feet (7.6m) in height and has a circumference of 50 feet (15m)and the Pagoda above the rock is about 7.3m(24ft) in height. According to legend, in Myanmar the Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a stand of the Buddha's hair.

             The balancing of Golden Rock seems to defy gravity, as it perpetually appears to be on the verge of rolling down the hill.

             The Golden Rock is the Third most important Buddhist Pilgrimage site in Myanmar or Burma, after the Shwedgon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda. A glimpse of the "gravity defying" Golden Rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for any persons to turn to Buddhism.

             The Golden Rock is situated at an elevation of 1100m (3600ft)above mean sea level, on top of the Kyaiktiyo hill ( also known as Kelsa hills or Eastern Yema mountains ).In Myanmar country, the Golden Rock is at a distance of 210 km from YANGON the capital city of Myanmar.

              The pilgrims and visitors have to climb to the Golden Rock barefoot, after leaving their footwear behind, as per Burmese custom and it has become a popular pilgrimage site and also tourist attraction in Myanmar.

               The Full Moon day of Tabaung in March, is a special occasion for pilgrims, who visit the shrine, and on this day, at Golden Rock, the platform of the Pagoda is lighted with ninety thousand candles as reverential offering to the Lord Buddha.