Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, as it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa. These relics include the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa, and eight strands of hair from the head of Gautama.
Here is it's pictures from 1890's.
The base of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates. Above the base are terraces that only monks and other males can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud and then the umbrella crown. The crown is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top—the diamond bud—is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets.[citation needed] People all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Queen Shin Sawbu (Binnya Thau), who gave her weight in gold.
Small Pagodas Around the Base
Nowadays, the compound consists of the main stupa and:
Four gateways, each one guarded by statues of the mythological guardian lions known as Chinthes. They all have decorated walls, depicting tales of the previous incarnations of Buddha. In recent years, three of them have been installed escalators or elevators.
Four smaller stupas, each oriented towards a different cardinal point.
Eight small shrines, located on each of the eight corners of the main stupa. A different image of Buddha is seen on each one, representing the seven days of the week. The Wednesday is split into two, one for the morning and one for the evening.
The upper part is the pointed structure, known as a spire. It consists of seven concentric rings on the lower part, the middle part in the shape of lotus petals, the upper part in the form of a teardrop, and the umbrella, which crowns the whole structure.
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The crown umbrella on top is an invaluable piece with thousands of precious stones. Abundant rubies, sapphires and diamonds are part of its decoration. A 76-carat diamond placed on the uppermost part is one of the biggest precious stones there. Hundreds of golden bells are also attached to the umbrella
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