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Hintha Gon Pagoda, Bago

The Hinthagon Pagoda is a shrine in Bago, Myanmar. It is a popular tourist destination as it was named after the mythological Hintha bird, a symbol of the Mon people.

The monastery is situated on top of a hill that, according to Myanmar legend, was the only point rising from the sea where the Hintha bird could land. Paintings and carvings of the Hamsa are visible throughout the temple.

The Shwemawdaw Pagoda (tallest pagoda in Myanmar) can be viewed to the east, making it a popular view point.

Entrance gate to Hintha Gon Pagoda.
Chinthe is the Burmese word for 'lion'. The leograph of Chinthe is a highly stylized lion commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).

  • The leograph of Chinthe appears as an element of Burmese iconography on many revered objects, including the palin (Burmese royal throne) and Burmese bells.
  • See more at Chinthe - Wikipedia.

Entering Hintha Gon Pagoda.

Climbing the stairs towards the pagoda.

Turning left to the shrine of the nat spirits.
Before reaching the pagoda we found the shrine of the nat spirits on the left side.


Shrine of the nat spirits.

Table of offerings and alms for the nat spirits.

Several nat spirits (left) with offerings (right).

Bago Medaw.
Bago Medaw (also known as the Buffalo Mother or Lady Buffalo) is a Burmese nat commonly venerated in the vicinity of Bago (although worship is seen throughout Lower Burma).

  • Bago Medaw is depicted as a maiden wearing a water buffalo skull, representing a female buffalo named Nakkarai, that nursed Prine Ashakuma, son of Thamala, the traditional founder of Hanthawaddy (now Bago).
  • She is believed to protect the family and home, and grant wishes to those she favors.
  • She is believed to be a goddess of the Mon people, representing the Mon cultural identity and the history of Bago, which was once the Mon capital of Hanthawaddy.
  • See more at Bago Medaw - Wikipedia.

More statues in an adjacent room.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda seen in the distance.
The Shwemawdaw Pagoda is 1.2 km (0.8 mi) west of the Hintha Gon Pagoda.


Entering inside Hintha Gon Pagoda.

Hintha birds symbol.
The monastery is situated on top of a hill that, according to Myanmar legend, was the only point rising from the sea where the Hintha bird could land.

  • Paintings and carvings of the Hamsa are visible throughout the temple.

Sign at the entrance to the pagoda.
The sign says: «The Hinthakone hill-ock is the fore-most site of Hanthawaddy Bago.»


Worship space west of the central stupa.

Nat spirit on the left side of the altar.

Hintha birds in the center of the altar.

Buddha and disciples on the right side of the altar.

East side of the central stupa.

South side of the central stupa.

Small shrine with Buddha protected by Mucalinda.
Mucalinda is the name of a naga, a snake-like being, who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.

  • It is said that six weeks after Gautama Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended.
  • However, the mighty King of Serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the One who is the source of all protection.
  • When the great storm had cleared, the serpent king assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha, and returned in joy to his palace.
  • See more at Mucalinda - Wikipedia.

Leaving Hintha Gon Pagoda.

See also

Source

Location

Location: 8GP4+P33, Bago, Myanmar (Burma)