Burma: Holy Symbols Hoisted Atop Sagaing Htupayon Pagoda

A sacred diamond bud (Seinphudaw) and a sacred bird’s perch vane (Hngetmyatnadaw) were hoisted atop a famous pagoda in Sagaing Region on Wednesday with a ceremony attended by Burma’s President U Thein Sein.

The sacred religious objects were consecrated by members of the Sangha led by Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nannisara before being hoisted atop the Htupayon Pagoda in Sagaing.

Prior to the ceremony, the congregation led by President U Thein Sein heard a sermon delivered by the Sitagu Sayadaw, followed by a luncheon offered to members of the Sangha.

The Htupayon Pagoda is said to have been built by King Narapati of Inwa in 806 Myanmar Era in the fashion of the Thuparama pagoda in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. Enshrined in the 202-foot-high pagoda were sacred relics presented by the king of Ceylon.

According to records, the pagoda experienced earthquakes in 874, 863 and 952 Myanmar Era (ME) and was repaired by a king in 967 ME. The religious facility suffered damage caused by an earthquake in 1200ME and was renovated by the king of Bagan in 1212ME. Dipa Aye Mya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nandasiri had the pagoda reconstructed and hoisted a sacred diamond bud and a sacred bird’s perch vane in 1329Me as it had suffered from various natural disasters.

The religious structure experienced 15 points of damage on its body due to an earthquake that hit in 1375Me, equivalent to 2012 AD, which prompted Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta nannisara to protect and preserve the edifices of cultural and religious heritage.

The Sitagu Sayadaw initiated the renovations to the damaged pagoda in 2012. The renovation work was completed in 2016.