Mahamuni Paya

Entry fee: covered in the through ticket of Mandalay Pass which charges US$10.
Opening time: 04:00-18:00

Mahamuni Paya, located 3 kilometer south from the city center of Mandalay, is one of the most important pilgrimage site in Myanmar. The paya enshrines Buddha Mahamuni, a bronze statue standing 4 meters high, which enjoys a rather holy status in the country and is treated as the incarnation of Gautama Buddha by locals.

It is said that the Buddha was moulded in 12th century in Cambodia, and finally arrived in Mandalay after several transference. It is also believed by locals that the Buddha can cure illness if people rub the body part of the Buddha corresponding with their ache part.

Male pilgrims paste golden leaves on the Buddha when they worship, and for generations, now the thickness of the gold leaves covered on the Buddha has already exceeded 16cm. Many monks live nearby the Mahamuni Paya because they believe that live here can be blessed by Gautama Buddha. It is also a tradition for young lovers to dress up and come to worship Mahamuni before their wedding to pray for happiness.

In the northwest of the small hall around the altar, there are six Cambodia bronze statues: three lion’s heads, two Lord Shiva and a elephant with three heads. As local do, it is suggested to make three bows when pass the elephant statue.

Tips: Every morning at 04:00, Mahamuni Paya holds the washing-face ceremony for the Buddha, and the holy water flows from Buddha’s face will be bottled. Males can enter the hall to watch the ceremony, while females are forbidden to enter the hall and can only watch it at the gate.