The Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred place of worship to Myanmar Buddhists. It is also a splendid edifice of gold, which endows the capital city of Yangon with beauty and serenity. If however one should visit the great pagoda you will find a treasure trove of marvels and wonders in the precincts unknown to the uninitiated and casual visitor. Of these there are Nine Wondrous sites, which according to legend showers blessings on the worshipper who abides faithfully by the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

The above Nine sites are considered very sacred and many devotees come to meditate, tell beads of chant prayers. People come to make pledges and wishes for a good life of health, wealth and happiness before they can achieve ultimate liberation from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

1. The Buddha Image of the Wondrous Ruby Eye
                                          
This noble image is located on the uppermost terrace in a single entry shrine of fragrance placed closed to the great stupa on the eastern side. It is said that if one worships with great faith his prayers will be answered and his wishes granted. The Image being on the upper terrace is not easily accessible and is also off-limits to women.

2. The “Weikzar Zawgyi” (Wizard) Buddha Image

This is a small chedi (stupa) that has been embellished with figures of wizards and necromancers. The original donor was one Daw Oo of No: 10 Sint O Dan Street, Yangon. It is generally believed that the pagoda was built with the use of secular magic and that many beings who have reached a high stage of moral purity frequently come here to meditate. It is located near the Saturday Planetary Post.

 
     
3. The “Shin Saw Pu” Buddha Image

 This pagoda named after the great Queen Shin Saw Pu of Hanthawaddy (Bago) is located at the side of a large iron roofed prayer hall near the Wednesday Planetary Post. It is sometimes called the “Bar Lay Bar” Pagoda or the “Wish Fulfillment Pagoda”. It is said that wishes will be fulfilled if one prays before this shrine. There are some champac trees nearby with green and yellow blooms. This is a favourite spot for the ladies who come to meditate or tell beads.
 


4. The “Dhammazedi / Dhammpala” Buddha Image

This cave temple is also located near the eastern entrance and is back-to-back with the Bo Bo Aung Buddha Image. Within the temple are two Buddha Images and in front of the shrine are two guardian statues of a lion and a tiger. This is also the site from where the refraction of light from the shining Diamond Bud of the Shwedagon can be seen and is thus deemed a sacred spot. There are people who have actually witnessed the lights who say the dominating colour is red in a certain spot but that with a change in position one can see the whole spectrum of colours. The donor of the Stupa was the famed King Dhammazedi of Hanthawaddy.
5. The Hair Relic
    Spring


 

 

 

 

 

6. The "BoBoAung-Gu" Buddha Image

 

This Buddha Image located near the eastern entrance to the main pagoda platform was according to ancient records was created by Bo Bo Aung a man who through his moral purity attained supernatural powers.

7. The "Shin Mahtee" Buddha Image
This is a Buddha Image in the northern prayer hall of the “Naungdaw Gyi Pagoda” (the prototype of the Shwedagon) on the Northeast of the main Platform. This image is outstanding and different from the other Buddha images because its robes are in one piece with the physical body of the image. Legend says that the arahat (one who has achieved liberation from the endless cycle of suffering) “Shin Mahtee” himself built this Image over a thousand years ago.

8. The Shwe Let Hlan ( Upturned Palm ) Buddha Image ( Kakuthan )

This is the Image of the “Kakkuthan” Buddha, one of predecessors of the Gautama Buddha in the main eastern prayer hall. The right palm of this Buddha image unlike those of others is turned up and not down, hence the title “Shwe Let Hlan Image”, that is the Buddha with the upturned palm. The other titles of the Image are “Yadana Laba Muni” and “Shwe Let Pyan” Budhha Image.
9. The “Pyadashin” (Vibrant Mercury)
    Buddha Image

This is the Buddha Image located in a small cave temple that lies between the Tuesday Planetary Post and the eastern entrance. It is bronze image of graceful proportions but the forehead is slightly protruding. This is said to be due to the fact that a legendary ball of mercury compound similar to the philosopher’s stone is embedded in it.