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It was truly special to be here, to travel so boldly to this place. I felt incredibly fortunate to come to Myanmar on a mission to fulfill a stamp in my passport for travel throughout Southeast Asia. That was until Myanmar finally suffered a major earthquake last March.
Visiting Yangon was a good reason. This country has a rich history of the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism, which spread from India to Indonesia. Along the same lines, exploring this history taught me a lot.
Recommend by my sosial media friend, I go to Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, a fairly large temple revered by the local community. It's not located in the city center is like Sule Pagoda or Shwedagon Pagoda, but it's a bit out of the way, but still accessible by taxi.
Why was it recommended? One thing I can understand why this place is called a hidden gem is the reclining Buddha, whose eyes are so beautiful and stunning. Her eyes have a captivating blue glow, beautiful as if adorned with eyeshadows that women typically wear. Her lips also appear to be polished with lipstick.
This time, the reclining Buddha looks like it's just been put on makeup. It's truly beautiful yet majestic. This Buddha statue is quite large, though not the largest. I read in some writings that the reclining Buddha measures 66 meters in height and ranges from 18 to 20 meters.
This temple is truly large, but not overly enclosed by walls. They use a structure made entirely of steel and high layers of wood, allowing for good air circulation. In fact, it doesn't feel hot or stuffy inside. The very cool floor also creates a cool feeling.
The Buddha statue can be accessed by walk in around it, allowing you to see the front, sides, and back of the statue. On its feet are specific images inscribed in gold ink, reminiscent of the Buddha's clothing.
This temple is quite large compared to other temples, and is situated up a few stairs, providing four access doors for the public to access the Buddha statue. There are many steps, but from the main entrance, access to the Buddha statue is not too difficult for seniors.