Uppatasanti Pagoda, Nay Pyi Daw

The Uppatasanti Pagoda in the new administrative capital of Myanmar, Nay Pyi Taw, is worth a visit. It is a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon but is 30 cms shorter in height to pay respect to the original one.

Uppatasanti means protection from calamities. The pagoda houses the tooth relic of Buddha inside.

The pagoda stands on a man made hill and is 325 feet (99 meters) high. Construction of pagoda began on 12th November 2006 and was completed in March 2009.

Before entering the pagoda, it is mandatory for all visitors to remove their footwear. There are cubicles provided in the area to keep them.

dress code for visitors

The roof of a Burmese pagoda has special features.

• Look up and you see an umbrella called hti which is typical of pagodas in this region.  A Thai, Khmer or Laotian pagodas show the absence of an umbrella. As you walk towards the entrance, one hears tingling of bells which comes from small bells attached to the rim of umbrella inviting the good spirits to come.
• Above the umbrella is a small stalk, vane which ends in a point, sein Phu  which is the highest point in a pagoda.

Sein Phu or the apex of pagoda

• The diamond is shaped like a rose bud and below this a noble bird perch which is studded with precious stones and gems.
• Below the umbrella or hti is banana shaped spire ( Hnet-pyaw-phu)
• Lotus flower petals ( Kyar-H lan) surround the base of banana bud. Lotus flower has become a symbol of Buddhism since the time of Asoka.
• Just above the monk's alms bowl are seen lotus petals facing downwards signifying that a person not attaining Nirvana can also go to the lowest level of existence.
• next is Thabeik or the monk's alms bowl which is inverted signifying no attachment to any possessions.
• the girdle or band reminds not to do bad deeds in life.
• Bell or khaung laung beckoning to do meritorious things.
• terraces are below the bell
• lastly is the base on which stands the whole structure

Since, it is based on Shwe Dagon Pgoda, it follows the same pattern:

• The Diamond Bud (Sein-phoo)  Sein*Phu*Daw
• The Vane
• The Crown (Htee)
• The Plantain Bud-Shaped Bulbous Spire (Hnet-pyaw-phu)
• The Ornamental Lotus Flower (Kyar-lan)
• The Embossed Bands (Bang-yit)
• The Inverted Bowl (Thabeik)
• The Bell (Khaung-laung-pon)
• The 3 Terraces (Pichayas)
• The Base

Pagoda's hti or umbrella

One can go up to the pagoda in a lift or walk up the stairs.

Crossing yinbin, a large platform one enters through one of the entrances.

The pagoda has four entrances called mok, derived from Pali word mukh meaning mouth or entrance.

High columns support the richly decorated dome of pagoda.

ceiling of pagoda

There are four jade Buddha images on four cardinal directions.

Panels depicting life of Buddha:
All around the 

The inner wall of dome has panels based on incidents from Buddha's life taken from Jataka tales.

Panel depicting the dream in which Buddha's mother, Maha Maya saw a white elephant

The panel shows the three steps taken by Gautam Buddha soon after he was born. He proclaimed that this would be his last birth.

Buddha before renunciation takes a last glimpse of his wife, Yashodara and newly born son, Rahul

 Mara obstructs Buddha from leaving the city

 Practicing extreme penance

Sujata offering milk-rice porridge. This was the last food he had for seven weeks

Gautam gets enlightens as Buddha

Buddha blessing and transforming Angulimala, the notorious bandit who killed people, cut off their finger and wore them around his neck.

Yashodhara, wife of Gautam Buddha paying respect to the enlightened by placing her head at his feet. Rahul, his son stands behind his mother.

Apart from these, there are many more panels to see.

Dagon Tai or flag mast:

On the south-east of pagoda, a 108 feet high flag mast is seen. It is 4 feet 6 inches in diameter. The reason for placing a dagon tai is that people can see it from a distance and pay their respects. Secondly they know it is a religious site.

On the top is seated a 15 inches bird, Hin thar or hamsa in Pali.  Hamsa is equally revered in both Hinduism and Buddhism. It eats only pearls and has the ability to separate water from milk. A small ball, probably a pearl hangs from the mouth of bird. With a large tail, it is possible for the bird to lean forward. The ball manages to balance the bird.
Above the bird, is a small golden umbrella.

At the base of flag mast are four images of  Sakka (Kings of Devas)

tablet giving information on pagoda

 A platform called yinbyin surrounds the pagoda.

view from top

White elephants:

Very close to pagoda, just a few walks away is "White Elephant House".

house of elephants

The white elephant was brought from Rakhine state in August 2018. The female elephant is named Bhaddavati, one who has all goodness. Two adult elephants also accompanied her. They circumambulated the pagoda before settling to their new home after being sprinkled with scented water and officially being given the name.

The white elephant is different from an albino one. Their color is light brown and they have white hair on their body.
White elephant, Airawat has been the mount of god Indra. Also, Maya, Buddha's mother saw a white elephant in her dream before she conceived. Thus, a white elephant occupied a special place.
In Thailand and Myanmar, it symbolises royalty and power.

The compound for elephant is said to have two pools with fountains, two dams, a sugarcane plantation for regular supply, a bathing pond with fountains, and a medical center.