temple temple pronunciation called buddhist temple major pilgrimage site located southwest burma image literal meaning great sage temple originally came highly burma central people lives seen expression representing life ancient tradition refers lifetime india paradise fifth image according legend visited city king requested image cast casting great image image exact likeness history origins according legend visited capital city travels mission spread buddhism 26th anniversary king time devout buddhist accompanied disciples landed mountain peak near town chief queen ladies waiting entourage ministers generals officials paid homage deeply moved teachings departure king insisted leave image people worship purpose sat tree week meditation time ruler heaven buddhist supported assistant image ornaments donated king people said created separate pavilion live enjoy seven days looking image believed time true likeness pleased image spiritual essence consecrated image naming stated image thousand years representative explained legend cult worship evolved living double image rich complex mythology associated image includes episodes parallel stories rituals myths accomplish aims simultaneously place local contexts actors universal buddhist locate continuing biography buddhist politics politics extended biographical mode presence associated power kings patrons image image informed local religious patronage domains legend narrated chronicle relates phenomena occurred image consecrated temple continued occur departed phenomena holy water washing image overflow collecting vessels water tank washing head retain quality year coloured rays appeared image evenings rays faded presence non believers space temple automatically accommodate number leaves trees tilt direction image birds fly temple stone guardians entrance sense presence evil prevent entering temple legend narrated linked bronze statues lions heads substituted later style headed elephant known warriors form installed temple northern end courtyard statues originally temple complex believe statues healing qualities particular body statues cure diseases image history ancient history king pagan attempted image pagan success military leadership dynasty conquered religious relics kingdom including image confiscated installed temple outskirts old capital image large transport cut sections later housed new temple capital king capital son british annexed upper burma prevent french dominating rule ended image continued visited pilgrims mainly peoples old bronze statues line courtyard temple long history war originally statues found taken king conquered took thirty statues king invaded brought statues finally took according local belief statues brought melted cast cannons fortification palace thirty statues brought remain today displayed temple complex major attraction purported healing qualities damage image suffered damage fires fire broke reign seven brick temple halls burnt great image saved gold recovered fire currently image minister took charge site constructed present temple original shrine built military rulers burma undertook renovation work period image damaged hole appeared belly great image believed thieves hole attempt steal believed image reported military officer requested open temple night resulting meeting senior monks major monasteries area discuss matter whilst meeting progress attention diverted purported rape incident committed muslim man buddhist girl major riot broke turned afterward buddhist girl raped divert attention away repaired mystery remains jewellery exist actually removed great image architecture temple complex structures located road leading southwest originally located brick paved road constructed royal palace king eastern gate temple remnants road seen major teaching monastery monks order monasteries adjacent temple central shrine framed extensive grass lawn arcades leading main shrine selling religious candles flowers robes etc restaurants tea shops large image small chamber roof covering seven meaning roofs derivative sanskrit word ceiling ornate mosaic covering arcades supported carved columns adorned fine image image housed small chamber seated throne divine posture known posture legs crossed feet turned right hand touches ground witness past deeds image cast bronze weighs tonnes erected metres high pedestal reaches height metres shoulders measure metres waist measures metres royal costumes crossing chest image crowned diamonds left hand appears unusually large seen resting lap palm gold leaves regularly applied face male consequent frequent application gold leaves coating gold thickness centimetres given image noted right hand crown characteristics royalty free gold leaf covering gives impression later additions original image burnt kilograms gold recovered site represents continued historical cult features large number inscription stones collected seen long gallery southeastern corner temple courtyard inscriptions marble sandstone collected regions country large water tank southeast direction temple fish turtles fed rice large number pilgrims visit temple day adjacent temple contains displays buddhism asia daily rituals february present initiated ritual daily face washing deity dawn ritual morning monks wash face brush teeth image elaborate ritual performed hour senior monk dressed monastic attire assisted lay dressed white wearing formal soon drums struck senior monk residing adjoining monastery enters starts formal face washing ritual succession fresh offered performs act cleaning teeth large brush followed sequence cleaning fresh paste applied image cleaned finally water ceremony completed returned reverence home special occasions day orange placed shoulders presiding monk major congregation witness rituals men sit enclosure including women children sit middle rear end offer food items brought deity chant prayers rituals performed winter season image covered monastic order reign monarchs offerings daily great image formal way food offerings sheltered royal white umbrella taken procession palace escorted minister honour sovereign head state festival major annual festival known meaning festival held early february end celebrate history festival aside daily rituals book relations recited book philosophical text recounted mother sermon heaven sacred scripture special feature continues days monks scriptures groups festivities include forms entertainment programmes dance music theatre etc social event allowing families friends gather greet given large crowds pilgrims attracted season guards posted near great image video cameras placed parts temple protect gallery
Mahamuni Buddha Temple