Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha Temple

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple is the most well-known Buddhist temple in Bahan Township, Yangon, Yangon Region, Myanmar. It houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha images in the country. The Buddha image is 66 metres (217 ft) long, and one of the largest in Burma.

The construction was sponsored by a wealthy Burmese Buddhist, Sir Po Tha, in 1899. The image was completed in 1907 by another construction company, but was not proportioned correctly, and the Buddha's face had an aggressive expression.

In the 1950s, the old Buddha image was demolished and temple trustees began work to replace the image, under the supervision of U Thaung, a master craftsman from Tavoy (now Dawei). Large glass eyes with dimensions of 1.77 by .58 metres (5 ft 10 in × 1 ft 11 in) were custom-created at Naga Glass Factory. The Buddha image was consecrated in 1973.

The Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha image

The very impressive 65 meters long and 16 meters high Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha image is wearing a golden robe; the right arm of the Buddha is supporting the back of the head. The Reclining Buddha image is decorated with very expressive colors, white face, red lips, blue eye shadow, golden robe and red finger nails.

The soles of the feet contain 108 segments in red and gold colors that show images representing the 108 lakshanas or auspicious characteristics of the Buddha.

Buddhist people pay their respect to the Reclining Buddha burning incense sticks and offering flowers. Around the Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha image is a number of shrines, one for each of the eight days of the week in Asian astrology (Wednesday is split in two days). Local people pray to the shrine belonging to the day of their birth.

A few inscribed plaques in English and Burmese contain information about Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha.

A similar very large Reclining Buddha, but in a slightly different pose is the Shwethalyaung Buddha in the town of Bago, North of Yangon.

How to get to the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
The pagoda is located in the Tamwe township of central Yangon on Shwe Gon Taing street, about 3 kilometers North East of the Shwedagon pagoda. A taxi from downtown Yangon to the pagoda should cost around US$ 3 - 5.

Opening hours
The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda opens daily from 6 am until 8 pm.

Entrance fee
Entrance fee is US$ 5 per person.
The entrance fee is used for the upkeep of the temple grounds and the Reclining Buddha image as well as for the education of local monks of the Ashay Tawya monastery.

Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha Temple

• Address: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
• Opened: 1907
• Founder: Sir Po Tha