Ever feel the “Joy of the World”? That is the meaning of Lawkananda Pagoda’s name in Pali. We are standing before a golden beacon. It is more than a temple. The Lawkananda Paya is a testament to faith and history.
King Anawrahta built this magnificent Lawkananda Pagoda in 1059. He was the founder of the Bagan empire. The Lawkananda Pagoda enshrines a Buddha tooth replica. The King obtained this relic from Sri Lanka.
The Lawkananda Pagoda sits on a small hill. It is located on the Irrawaddy River’s bank. Its cylindrical shape reminds some of the Bupaya Pagoda. The Bupaya Pagoda is further north in old Bagan.
Look at the Lawkananda Pagoda’s platform. From here you have stunning views. You can see the Irrawaddy River. The mountain range provides a beautiful backdrop. The Lawkananda Paya is lit up at night.
Notice the two large lion statues. These Chinthes guard the Lawkananda temple. They stand at the stairway’s bottom. They lead to the platform.
The Lawkananda Pagoda’s dome sits on an octagonal base. The base has three receding tiers. Intricate flower motifs adorn the cylindrical dome. The Lawkananda Pagoda was once white. It has recently been gilded. The Lawkananda Paya’s interior is not open to visitors. It enshrines the Buddha tooth relic.
Above the Lawkananda Pagoda is a ‘hti’. It is a finial shaped like a multi-tiered umbrella. Jewels embellish the ‘hti’.
King Anawrahta acquired a Buddha tooth relic. He received it from the King of Sri Lanka. The King himself waded into the Irrawaddy. He welcomed the relic. The relic was first kept in the Royal Palace. A special Lawkananda Pagoda was built to house it.
Legend says the tooth was put on a white elephant. The elephant was set loose. The Lawkananda Pagoda was built where the elephant stopped. Another tooth miraculously appeared. This tooth was also placed on an elephant. This elephant stopped on the Irrawaddy’s bank. The Lawkananda Pagoda marks this spot.
Every year in late July or early August, the Lawkananda Pagoda festival happens. It celebrates the rain in Bagan’s dry region. The Lawkananda Paya is a little visited Paya. Burmese people mainly use it as a place of worship.
Take a moment to feel the river breeze. Appreciate the serene atmosphere. The Lawkananda Pagoda is more than just a monument. It is a living testament to faith. It is a celebration of joy in the world.