1. This world-famous Buddhist pilgrimage site is in Mon State, Myanmar.
2. Situated atop a cliff of the Kyaiktiyo hill, it is the most sacred pagoda in Myanmar.
3. It is a 7.3 meters high pagoda which was built on the top of a granite cliff covered with multitude of gold leaves.
4. It is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda.
5. According to Burmese legend, this strange pagoda is kept in place by a single hair of the Buddha.
6. The pagoda is located at an elevation of 1,100 meters above the sea level and it has 18 pins to connect with the rock.
7. Around the pagoda, there is a circle of eight gongs with four statues of nats and angels in the center.
8. The scenery from the Golden Rock Pagoda is strange and amazing so a lot of visitors stay here to watch the sunset.
9. At the peak of the pilgrimage season, during November to March, an atmosphere of devotion is witnessed at Kyaikhtiyo pagoda.
10. Women are not allowed to touch the rock.
11. Pilgrims visit the pagoda, from all regions of Myanmar; a few foreign tourists also visit the pagoda.
12. Even disabled persons who are staunch devotees of Buddha visit the pagoda, walking up the track on crutches.
13. Old people, who can not climb, are carried on stretchers by porters to the Pagoda to offer prayers to Buddha.
14. Men cross over a bridge across an abyss to affix golden leaves (square in shape) on the face of the Golden Rock, in deep veneration.
15. A short distance away, there is a circle of gongs with four statues of nats and angels in the centre.
Images from: fascinating-land-travels.com & wikimedia commons
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