Palate
You can find many wondrous places in various part
of the world and Myanmar is no exception. One of
these is the Snake Pagoda, situated at the town of
Paleik, which is 15 miles from Mandalay.
Palate is situated approximately 30 minutes by
car from Mandalay. There is a famous pagoda in town,
which is called the Palate Snake Pagoda. The reason
for its name is due to the snakes that surround the
main Buddha figure. At present there are three
snakes however for a long time there had only been
one but mysteriously two more turned up unannounced.
For the local people the snakes have for a long time
been a symbol of guardians of Buddha, whatever the
reason these passive snakes are quite happy for
visitors to hold them and take pictures and at 11am
every morning they take a bath in the small pool
nearby. Whether youre a snake lover or not this
temple is certainly worth a visit.
The formal name of the Pagoda is known as Ratana
Laba Muni Sutaungpyi Muei Phaya but it is known to
be as Meui Phaya or Snake Pagoda. In 1977, a
Buddhist monk was clearing the bush in that area and
found a Buddha image inside a ruined Pagoda.
On top of the image were three large pythons and
from that time on, the place became known far and
wide in the country as the Snake Pagoda .Each snake
is fed a pot of milk and three eggs every five days.
But later on, due to instructions from a
veterinarian, each was given 50 ticals of goat meat
for protein. But every morning at 11:00 a.m., the
snakes are given a bath .Pilgrims from various parts
of the country come to pay homage to the snake
Pagoda in Paleik town whenever they arrive in
Mandalay. It is Buddhist belief that even animals
though merit earned in previous existences are
deserving of care and attention.
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