Thambuddhe Pagoda, Monywa

The major tourist attraction in Monywa is Thambuddhe Pagoda (also Thanboddhay Pagoda), a Buddhist temple with a huge stupa resembling Indonesia's Borobudur.

It dates from 1303, although it was reconstructed in 1939. It is said to contain over 500,000 images of Buddha.

Two giant elephants guard the pagoda gate.

Pink house next to the pagoda.

Pond on the south side of the pagoda.
The pond is on the right side of the photo. The pagoda is in the background of the photo.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda, front view.
In the center of the lake is a statue of Buddha being protected by Mucalinda, the king of snakes.

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.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda, left view.
Note that on the walls around the pond are scenes of Buddha's life.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda, view from the southwest.
Note the staircase that gives access to the pond from the pagoda.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda, rear view.
Buddha and Mucalinda are facing the pagoda.

Scene from the life of Buddha depicted on the pond wall.

Dancer sculpture on top of one of the buildings.

Sculpture of a tiger stalking anyone passing by on the street.

Small building protected by mythological lions.
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.

Small building with red column on top.
Sculptures of various characters surround the red column.

Building with a tower surrounded by a spiral staircase.
This tower is located northwest of the pagoda.

Small building with statues of Buddha teaching his disciples.
On top of the building is a column surrounded in a spiral by Mucalinda, the king of snakes.

West facade of the pagoda.

North facade of the pagoda.
Note the west pavilion on the right side of the photo, and the east pavilion on the left side of the photo.

This photo is taken from the northwest.

North facade of the pagoda.
Note the east pavilion in the center of the photo.

This photo is taken from the northwest.

Entering the pagoda from the west.

Interior of the west pavilion with large standing Buddha statues.
Note the length of the interior corridors.

At the end of each corridor is a statue of a seated Buddha.

Statue of a Buddhist monk.

Buddha statue with believers worshiping.

Questioning the nat spirit or the Buddha.
The questioner puts the question to the nat spirit or the Buddha. Then she lifts the stone.

If the stone feels heavy, the answer is 'no'.
If the stone feels light, the answer is 'yes'.
The questions can be repeated as many times as necessary until the entire subject is clarified.