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Golden Rock
Kyikhtiyo
Pagoda
About halfway between Thaton and Bago lies
the town of Kyaikhto , famous for its Pagoda situated east of
the town at the end of a 10 km ( 6miles) long footpath. This
landmark is the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda –Called "
The Golden Rock " .
Location
Kyaikhtiyo pagoda is located in the small
town called Kyaikhto, in the Mon State. This destination is
160km away from Yangon. The pagoda is 1100km above sea-level. It
is a 11 kilometer uphill climb for the hikers from Kinpun base
camp. There is also a steep winding road for 4-wheel drive cars
from the base to the nearest point of the pagodas. The pagoda is
also known as "the golden rock".
The meaning of Kyaik Hti Yo
According to Mon tradition, the name is a
corruption of Kyaik-ithi--yo being derived as follows. In Mon
language the word "Kyaik" means " pagoda" and " yo" " to carry
on the hermits head", in Pali the word" ithi" means a hermit and
therefore the name means " the pagoda carried on the hermit's
head.
Structure
The pagoda, about 18 feet high, and 50 feet
in girth. is situated on the hill of the same name on the ridge
between Sittaung and Thanlwin. It is built on a huge, almost
egg- shaped, rounded granitoid boulder perched on the very
summit of a projecting and shelving tabular rock, which in
itself is separated several feet from the mountain by a rent or
chasm, now spanned by a small foot bridge of iron and on the
further side drops perpendicularly into a valley blow.
History
It is said that the boulder has been over
2500 years. The tradition is that after the hermit had obtained
the hair from the Buddha, he was carrying it on his head inside
his hair knot till he found a boulder which resembled his head,
and so he built the pagoda on its enshrining the relic,
substituting the boulder for his over head.
On the extreme verge of this sloping rock table, and actually
over hanging it by nearly half, is perched this wonderful
boulder (now completely gilded with gold), thirty feet high and
surrounded by the pagoda. By gently rocking the boulder a thread
can be passed underneath; seemingly appears as if the additional
weight of a few pounds, or a strong wind, would send it sliding
down from the place it has occupied for unknown centuries
watching over three thousand feet into the sloping valley
beneath and we know what freakish law keeps it in its position.
Anyway pious Buddhists attribute it to the power of the relic
enshrined in the pagoda.
This relic is a hair of Gotama Buddha given to a hermit residing
on the mountain by the Buddha himself as he was returning from
the second heaven of the Nats whither he had gone to preach the
law to his mother.
Festival
It is of considerable celebrity and attracts
crowds of worshippers annually beginning from October to March
which is the seasonal pilgrimage period for worshippers
Especially on the full moon day of Tabaung, the platform of the
pagoda is lighted with ninety thousand candles offered to the
Buddha and thousands of worshippers gather around the pagoda
offering fruits, foods incense to the Buddha. Sometimes
reflected rays of color from the Buddha's image were said to
have been observed by the worshipers.
Kyaikhtiyo Wildlife Sanctuary
This wild life sanctuary was established in
1998. It covers a total area of 180.05 Sq. km. It is situated in
Tropical Rain forest type. Recorded birds are only 50 species,
the others are not yet recorded. Highlight species that can be
found are Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Blue-throated
Barbet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Germain's Swiftlet, Pin-tailed
Green Pigeon, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch , Black-headed Bulbul,
Streak-eared Bulbul and Black-throated Laughing thrush. Other
mammals such as :
Goral, Gaur, Sambhur Deer, Bear and Monkey can also be seen.
There are also about 50 species of butterflies. Trekking at Mt.
Kyaikhtiyo can also be enjoyed. The distance is 1,102m.
Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo
Yangon is linked with big cities and towns by
air, by car and by train in Myanmar . You can go to Kyaikhto by
train or by the 200 km road by car via Bago. Direct drive to
Kimmunsakan ( Base camp of Kyaikhtiyo ) and By Car is more
easily to get there. OR by train , you will take off the
Kyaikhto Rail Station and then take a car to the kimmunsakan .
The distance from Kyaikhto to the base camp Kimmunsakhan is 12
km.
Kimmusakhan ( Base Camp Of Kyaikhtiyo – Up
Area )
In the old days, the only route to get to the
pagoda was by a 12 km. hike through the jungle. There are about
20 camps along the tract and on the way there are stalls in
which tea, cold drinks and fruits are available. The whole route
is sheltered from the sun by the jungle canopy.
For quicker access and for convenience sake a new road has been
cut through the jungle from the base camp to the foot of the
Kyaikhtiyo ridge. To reach the Pagoda from Kin Pun base camp,
take a open truck up a bumpy track to Ye the daung Camp (45 mins
drive ) and hiking up to mountain top take about next 45 minutes
.For Old ages , Sedan chair carried by 4 men to up area can be
arranged .
Where To Stay
1.Golden Rock Hotel ( **)
| Location |
: |
Near Ye The Daung ( 45 mins walk to Up
area) |
 |
| Address |
: |
Near Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Kyaikhto
Township, Mon State |
| Tel |
: |
95-35-70174 |
2.Kyaikhto( **)
| Location |
: |
Quite Close to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda |
 |
| Address |
: |
Near Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Kyaikhto
Township, Mon State |
| Tel |
: |
951-4410336, 959-99-213100 |
3. Mountain View (**)
| Location |
: |
Quite Close to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda |
 |
| Address |
: |
Seikphu Foot Hill, Kyaikhtiyo
Pagoda Road, Kyaikhto Township, Mon State |
| Tel |
: |
Tel : 951-524613,
525146, 707115 |
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