Bago

Bago is located some 50 miles to the northeast of Yangon and takes about two hours to reach. Myanmar chronicles claim that it was founded by two brothers Thamala and Wimala in 825 A.D. There were 42 kings in the Bago dynasty, of whom Wareru (1287-1296 A.D), Razadarit (1385-1423 A.D), Bannyaran (1426-1446 A.D), Queen Shin Saw Bu (1453-1472 A.D), Dhammazedi (1472-1492 A.D) and Bayin Naung (1551-1581 A.D) were great rulers.
There are two kingdoms – Usa Pegu (Orissa) was the old and Hamsawaddi Pegu was the new one. King Bayin Naung built the largest Empire of Hamsawaddi and found a new capital bearing the same name and built a new palace named Kanbozathadi. He was a noble, and benevolent King who did many works of social and religious merits.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

According to the chronicle said, Bago was founded during the time of the Lord Buddha. When The Lord Buddha and his disciples came to this area. That time this area was a part of sea area. A couple of Hamsa bird wished to pay respect to the Lord Buddha. That time, they found that there was a small place to stand on for only one bird, which was uncovered by the sea. That time, the male Hamsa bird was stood it first, then the female bird was stood at the back of the male bird. By seeing it, The Lord Buddha prophesied that, a great city would be founded and my great religion would be flourished. That’s why, it come to be known as Hanthawaddy. It’s was also the symbol of the Bago.

Places of Interest in Bago Areas

SHWEMAWDAW PAGODA

In the eastern sector of Bago lies the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, believed to be one of the most important monuments of Myanmar history. The original construction is ascribed to the merchant brothers who brought the hair relics from India during the Buddha’s life time, which is 25 centuries ago. The enshrined the Sacred Hairs relics in the Sudasana Hillock and built a pagoda 75 feet high. In 825 A.D, Kings Thamala and Wimala, founder of the Bago Kingdom, raised the height of the original stupa to 88 feet. Successive kings carried on with the work of repairing, regilt, renovating and enlarging the pagoda. In 982 A.D, King Anurama enshrined one sacred Tooth of Buddha in it. In 1385 A.D, King Rajadarit added another sacred Tooth and raised the height of the Pagoda to 227 feet. In 1796 A.D, King Bodawpaya raised it to 297 feet. The pagoda was shattered by three major earthquakes in 1912, 1917 and 1930. A great part of the bell-shaped dome and its superstructure tumbled down, and the terraces were damaged in the last tremor. In 1954, the Pagoda was reconstructed on its original model and raised the height to 373 feet, taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Several ancient Buddha images of stone and bronze were discovered from the ruined sectors of the pagoda and they are now exhibited in the museum on the pagoda platform.

MAHAZEDI

Mahazedi pagoda was (Great Stupa) completed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung. It construction was based on that of the Mahacheti stupa of Ceylon and is a beautiful bell-shaped structure. Over the years, the Mahazedi has suffered badly from both earthquakes and vandalism. The placing of the umbrella iron framework crest on top was celebrated in 1982 with festivals of music and dance.

SHWETHALYAUNG RECLINING IMAGE

Hidden in the jungle for over a century following the sacking of Bago is 1757, the Shwethalyaung (Giant Reclining Buddha) was discovered by chance in 1881 y engineers working on the extension of the railway line to Bago. An Indian contractor for the supply of bricks and earth began digging the area for stocks when he came across a vast pile of brickwork of which he decided to avail himself. However forms of protests arose from fellow-workers conversant with the history of the image and the contractor was obliged to stop his work. The reconstruction of the holy image was started immediately and the once neglected crumbling image was restored to its former glory.
Built originally in AD 994 by King Mingadhippa to commemorate his conversion to Buddhism after years of spirit worship this 180 ft long reclining image is one of the most wonder and sacred in Myanmar. Its dimensions is 52.5 ft high, its face measures 22.5 ft, the palm of the hand 22 ft, the sole of the foot 25.5 ft, the little finger 10 ft and the great toe 6 ft. It is protected by a huge steel shelter erected in 1906.

KAMBAWZA THARDI PALACE

Originally, it was the palace of King Bayinnaung (founder of the Second Myanmar Empire), the largest palace ever built in Myanmar throught its entire history. For centuries, it has disappeared from the face of the earth through the ravages of time and wanton destruction by man. Only the stumps of its massive teak posts and other foundations have lain buried in the ground. Now the great palace is being reconstructed on the same spot exactly according to its design and plan which have been recorded in ancient folding parchment books. It is nearing completion and already attracting many visitors.