“Principal royal barge pagoda”. That is what Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda roughly translates to. Are you ready to explore one of Myanmar’s most fascinating religious sites?
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda holds a special place in the hearts of the Burmese people. This pagoda is not just a temple. It is a testament to faith and tradition. Let’s uncover the mysteries of this sacred place together.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is located on Inle Lake in Shan State. It is home to five ancient Buddha images. These images are so covered in gold leaf that their original forms are hidden. Over centuries devotees have applied countless layers of gold. The images now appear as solid gold mounds. They range from 9 to 18 inches tall. Imagine how heavy they must be.
Legend says King Alaungsithu brought these Buddha images to Inle Lake. He was a pious Buddhist king. He built many monuments. One was the famous Thatbyinnyu Temple in Bagan.
Every year a grand festival takes place at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. This is during the Burmese month of Thadingyut. That is from September to October. Four of the Buddha images are placed on a replica of a royal barge. It is designed as a hintha bird. They are then taken around Inle Lake. One image always stays at the temple.
The barge is elaborately decorated. It is towed by boats of leg-rowers rowing in unison. Other boats accompany it. This makes for an impressive procession on the water. The barge stops at each village along the lake’s shore. The four images stay overnight at the main monastery in each village.
The festival’s highlight is when the images arrive at Nyaung Shwe. Pilgrims from the region gather here to pay their respects. In the past the Saopha of Yawnghwe would personally welcome the images. The images were taken to his palace. People could enter the prayer hall to pay their respects. Since the 1960s the images go directly to the main temple.
There is a fascinating story about these images. Sometime in the 1960s a storm hit Inle Lake. The barge carrying the images capsized. All the images tumbled into the lake. The people managed to recover four images. But one seemed to be lost forever. When they returned to the monastery, the missing image was miraculously back in its place.
In 2019, pagoda trustees made a significant decision. They banned pilgrims from applying more gold leaf to the statues. This was due to the statues’ weight and transport difficulties. Before the ban only men could apply gold leaf. Pilgrims also placed a small robe called a thingan around the images. They took the robe home to place on their altar. This was a sign of respect for the Buddha and his teachings.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is more than just a religious site. It is a symbol of faith. It shows the enduring traditions of the people of Inle Lake. As you stand here take a moment. Think about the history and the devotion that surrounds you. This pagoda is a treasure. It reflects the rich cultural heritage of Myanmar.