Botataung Pagoda

Overview

Botataung Pagoda sits on the banks of the Yangon River at the spot where a thousand military officers reportedly received sacred relics brought from India over 2,000 years ago. Destroyed by Allied bombing in 1943, the rebuilt pagoda features a unique hollow interior with mirrored glass mosaics — visitors can walk through the stupa itself, an experience unavailable at most Myanmar pagodas.

Highlights

• Hollow Interior: Walk through a glass-and-mirror-lined corridor inside the stupa to view preserved relics.
• Riverside Location: Adjacent to the Yangon River with a pleasant waterfront promenade.
• Nat Shrine: A highly venerated shrine to Bo Bo Gyi, a powerful local nat (spirit), draws constant worshippers.

History

The original pagoda was built around 2,000 years ago to house sacred relics brought from India by two merchant brothers. When Allied bombs destroyed the pagoda in 1943, workers discovered a golden casket containing hair relics and small gold figures. The rebuilt pagoda was completed in 1953 with the innovative walk-through design.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Combine with a visit to Strand Road and the nearby river ferry terminal.
• Tip 2: The nat shrine is fascinating as an example of spirit worship coexisting with Buddhism.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.