Foot and Fire

This is a nice side trip when one is already at the Reclining Buddha (Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda) as this is located just about 10-minute walk a little across the street. The face of the Buddha is likewise charming but lacking the effeminate impression I got upon gazing at the reclining Buddha. But samely, the lips and the nails are painted. Wikipedia entry is quite short: Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda also Nga Htat Gyi Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple in Bahan Township, Yangon, Burma, located off Shwegondine Road, A distinct five-tiered pagoda, the original 20.5 feet high Buddha image was donated by Prince Minyedeippa in 1558. A Buddha, 45.5 feet on a pedestal, 30 feet (9.1m) high and 46 feet (13.9m) wide was erected at the temple in 1900. *** http://www.renown-travel.com/ mentioned this temple in the entry for the Reclining Buddha and noted that : Just across the street from the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is another temple, the Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda that contains another huge Buddha ...

If I have to describe this Buddha image, I have to say first that it is charming and then effeminate. Staring at the face of this Buddha, I can see a handsome Buddha but then as I go through the details on the lips, the painted nails on his fingers and feet, I can see that the image is effeminate. As in any other pagodas in Myanmar we were able to visit, the hall is populated with pilgrims. *** The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is known for its enormous 65 meters long Reclining Buddha image. The highly revered image is housed in a large shed North of Kandawgyi Lake. The original image was completed in 1907. When after many decades the Chauk Htat Gyi image was in a bad state of repair, a devout Buddhist decided to restore it. During renovations in 1966 about 5 meters were added to the image. The renovation was paid for entirely with donations from Buddhists and foreign tourists. The names of the contributors are inscribed on the beams of the building.(http://www.reno...