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most sacred temple  The
origin of the Shwedagon Pagoda dates back to over 2500 years. Gautama Buddha presented
eight strands of sacred hairs to two merchants, who offered it to King Okkalapa
on their return. The king built a pagoda on a hilltop overlooking the port city
of Okkalapa, in which the sacred hairs were enshrined.
Successive monarchs
enlarged the pagoda by building outer structures over the original. The present
stupa reaching a height of 326 feet was completed in the mid 1450s by Queen Shin-sawpu.
The last renovation of the Shwehtidaw (literally meaning the "Golden Umbrella"
and comprising of the Diamond Bud, the vane and the shaft) was successfully undertaken
by King Mindon in 1871. Many a foreign traveler awestruck by the splendor of its
golden glory, proposed that it be listed as one of the wonders of the world.  The
Shwehtidaw having suffered a great deal of corrosion within a period of 128 years,
the State Peace and Development Council, under the guidance of Senior General
Than Shwe, undertook to renovate not only the Shwehtidaw but the general condition
of the whole premises. The task of restoring the pagoda to its present day grandeur
was completed in April, 1999
Pagodas, temples and monasteries in Myanmar
are not funded by the government, but are self-supporting with donations made
by devotees and pilgrims. During the period of the recent restoration, people
from all walks of life donated over Kyats 734.8 million in cash, 69 viss (113
Kilos) of gold, and 67,868 pieces of jewelry and gems.  The
tranquility that prevails within the premises of this revered shrine is a special
attraction for pilgrims and tourists from far and near; not only to pray and meditate,
but to just sit and admire the awesome spectacle, while being at peace with oneself.
Naung-taw-gyi
literally means elder brother. The Naung-taw-gyi Pagoda is referred to as such,
because it was built as a design model on which the construction of the main pagoda
was based.
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