You can’t miss the Relice Tower, also known as the Tooth Relic Tower, standing proudly to the south of the Clock Tower. The Relice Tower, named after the tradition that all royal cities contain a tooth relic tower, has a unique story to tell. Though the tower was built to house a tooth relic of Buddha, you won’t find any here! It’s a bit of a mystery, as the city of Mandalay seems to have followed the tradition but not embraced the actual relic. The tower is divided into three parts: a low basement, a terrace rising from the basement, and a relic chamber with a three-tiered roof. It’s all crowned by a hti, the traditional Burmese umbrella.
And if you take a closer look, you’ll see the walls and roofs of the relic-chamber are adorned with graceful plaster carvings. The entire structure is a testament to the rich architectural heritage of Myanmar. The intricately carved details tell stories of kings and queens, of gods and goddesses, and of the profound connection between faith and the royal family.
This is a tower that breathes history. The Relice Tower is a potent reminder of the grandeur and power of the last Burmese monarchy in Mandalay. As you stand before it, you can almost feel the ghosts of royalty walking the ancient pathway. Perhaps you can hear the echoing whispers of the past in the gentle breeze that whispers through the tower’s spires. These whispers hold secrets and stories waiting to be revealed.