Welcome to The Golden Land!

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The Burmese have been and still are a very religious people and it is almost impossible to separate Buddhism from other aspects of their life. Since centuries ago, specifically in 1057 its main promoter, King Anawratha adopted Buddhism and became the official religion of the state, started a building fever for the greater glory of Buddhism that has reached our days. Have spent several centuries but it can be said that faith remains intact.

That is why the country is full of religious buildings, temples, stupas and pagodas, and thousands of Buddha images. We will see them in fully sacralized environments or inside a cave, no matter if we are in town or in the middle of a hill, it is certain that we can always see the dome of some monastery or temple.

Ceiling, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Ceiling, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Ceiling, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

One of the most interesting of the many art forms in Myanmar is the mosaic work, which is often a mixture of small mirrors and stained glass or coloured stones that adorn the temples and pagodas throughout the country. The artform is mainly decorative and abstract, and only rarely is there any attempt at figurative work.

Ceiling, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Pedestal, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Pedestal, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Wall, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Thazin

Thazin (Bulbophyllum auricomum), the Royal Flower of Myanmar, is a species of orchid

In Burma, the the most beloved orchid of Myanmar is Thazin, (Bulbophyllum auricomum) which blooms with tiny white flowers in graceful sprays that grow out of a small, bright-green, pear shaped bulb. It symbolizes royalties and purities. This rare, dainty and almost extinct species of orchid is beloved for its simple yet delicate beauty and its remote habitat high up in mountain trees. The likability of the orchid can be seen in the Burmese cultures via songs and the literatures.

At some point of time, they were so rare that no commoner however wealthy was allowed to wear it in the hair. It was only meant for queens and princesses and special envoys had to go deep into the jungles in Rakhine Yoma mountain ranges to collect some of these orchids for ceremonial purposes. Nowadays, people grow it easily with bulbs collected from the jungles but even then, it is still an expensive flower that brides drape around their high chignons.

Floral, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (also known as Golden Rock) is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State, Myanmar.

It is a small pagoda (7.3 metres (24 ft)) built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees.

According to legend, the Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a strand of the Buddha's hair.

The balancing rock seems to defy gravity, as it perpetually appears to be on the verge of rolling down the hill.

The rock and the pagoda are at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo. It is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda.

adding gold leaf

A glimpse of the "gravity defying" Golden Rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for any person to turn to Buddhism.

Burma announced an overnight transfer of government offices 200 miles north from the historic capital Rangoon to Naypyidaw in 2005 to commence on the hour chosen by the then dictator Senior General Than Shwe’s personal astrologer. The development seemed to herald yet another step back for a country virtually destroyed since the military took power in a 1962 coup.

Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma – Uppatasanti Pagoda

Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma Uppatasanti Pagoda

And, like ancient Xanadu and dozens of other citadels built to glorify one man, its flaws are his flaws. Today, all the main landmarks – most notably the presidential palace and parliament – are surrounded by a moat that can only be crossed by a series of bridges.

A Western diplomat travelling here said Naypyidaw was so vast it could only be comprehended from space. “The only real way to get a sense of this place is from Google Earth,” he said. “Then you see the distance between the building, set far apart to survive air raids.”

Padauk, national flowerThe Myanmar lunar month of Tagu, which usually falls in the month of April, is the month of the Myanmar New Year. It this time of the year the leaves of most trees, large and small, have dried up, curled crisp and fallen. But one large tree stands tall and green with its canopy of emerald leaves. That is the ‘Padauk’ – the gum-kino tree (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). The Padauk is waiting for the first rain showers to burst forth into bloom with its tiny fragrant yellow gold flowers. The first light showers of April usually herald the Thingyan Festival and bring the Padauk to bloom in all its glory. For the Myanmar people the Padauk tree is also a symbol of strength and durability.

Dragon fruit, or pitaya, is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America

Dragon fruit, or pitaya, are also cultivated in Asia.

Burmese pink cassia

Ixora rosea

rambutan

rambutan

French marigold (Tagetes patula)

Zebus (Bos primigenius indicus or Bos indicus or Bos taurus indicus), sometimes known as humped cattle or Brahman, are a type of domestic cattle originating in South Asia.

Text and pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foi oreanu şwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Yatanarbon - An auspicious wish