Shwesandaw Pagoda

#thingstodo #familytravel Shwesandaw Pagoda was built by King Anawrahta after his conquest of Thaton in 1057. This graceful pagoda was constructed at the centre of his kingdom. The pagoda was known as Ganesh or Mahapeine after the elephant-headed Hindu god whose images once stood at the corners of the five successive terraces. The five terraces once bore terracotta plaques showing scenes from the jatakas. This pagoda enshrines a Buddha hair relic brought back from Thaton. Before the earthquake, top of this Pagoda was a great place to view sunsets. Presently climbing the Pagoda has been discontinued. There is also a huge reclining Buddha inside the Pagoda.