" A Pagoda in the Jungle "

" A Pagoda in the Jungle "

Maung Than Weik

We the Myanmar people have a saying which goes, “Digging turtle eggs while visiting pagodas”. It means we gain two different benefitsat one time while on a single mission or from a single act.

Something resembles to the English proverb, which says “Kill two birds with one stone”. But here we are not going to kill any life or steal any animal’s eggs as both acts are sins in the eyes of Buddhist principles. 

In fact, we are going to visit a religious venue where we can do meritorious deeds while marveling at its cultural values, architectural secrets, and topographical uniqueness. Additionally, we can also visit the nearby places, meet with local people, study their lifestyles and buy exotic local products as souvenirs for friends and relatives back home.

So what about visiting Kyaiukhtiyoe, a pagoda situated on a forested mountain over 3,000 feet above the sea level? But Kyaikhtiyoe is not in our list as the pagoda already is a renowned religious venue frequented by a large number of local and foreign pilgrims as well as tourists from around the world, especially during the open season.

Besides, Myanmar is a land of pagodas where many religious buildings lie in wait. As there are magnificent pagodas and wonderful places unknown even to most of the Myanmar people, the country has many more to offer and the tourists have many more to discover. So we are going to present something that is new, something that is extraordinary and something that is fabulous.

Our story starts in Sagaing Region, the second largest province of Myanmar lying in the north. In this region which we also call Anya or upcountry, there is a town named Banmauk. And over 12 miles from the town is a thick jungle hosting a towering mountain crested with ancient stupas on every top.

On the over 3,000 feet high mountaintop platform are naturally formed pavilionlike rock structure and ricebag- like rocks and the stupa which is called Zalontaung Pagoda.

The rocky mountain whose name also is Zalontaung is covered with thick vegetation and also surrounded by a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The whole Bamauk township is a home to Bamar, Shan, Kadu and Kana people, and some say that the mountain’s name in Shan language is Santlon which means “Great Elephant”. The town is connected by road to Pinlebu which links with Phaungpyin and Kawlin.

The Sagaing Region, with an area of 93,527 square km, is bordering India at its northwest corner and has a number of famous places such as Alaungdaw Kassapa, Thanbokday Pagoda, Soon U Ponnya Shin Pagoda, Sagain Hills, Monywa industrial city, world’s tallest standing Buddha Statue at Maha Bodi Tahtaung, and the ruins of ancient Halin Pyu city. 

Pilgrimage season of Zalontaung Pagoda starts soon after the end of Monsoon and continues through the cold season and summer. The road to the pagoda passes through forests where large teak trees and shade trees and a lot of springs can be found. There are accommodations as well as food stalls and bathing places. The annual pagoda festival is from 23 to 27 April. 

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