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The Golden Rock
The Kyaikhtiyo Cedi or the Golden Rock as it is popularly
known, is situated in Kyaikhto Township of the Mon State,
on a line of hills that run parallel to the Sittaung Moketama
rail and motor road. The peak on which the Cedi is located
is over 3600 feet in height and the original trek route from
the base camp (Kinmun Sakan) is a little over seven miles.
According to legend, Buddha's sacred relic is enshrined
within the pagoda and the boulder on which the Cedi is constructed
was selected because it resembled the shape of a hermit's
head. Although the upper boulder appears to be attached to
a ledge of the base rock, the two are actually not joined
together at all. Legend states that there was a time when
the top boulder was levitating absolutely free from the base
rock, to the extent that a hen could sit between them.
Even now, a single person can make the top boulder rock by
heaving it with one's shoulder, and a thread can be passed
between the two boulders. Also, when water is poured from
the higher part of the bottom rock, it comes down as a complete
sheet, refuting the theory that there could be a vertical
cone on the bottom rock and a concave at the base of the top
boulder.
It is an inexplicable phenomena; but the faithful are firm
in their belief that it is indeed a miracle. A motor road
had been constructed recently making the Cedi more accessible
to those who have neither the energy nor time to make it on
their own steam. Devout believers though prefer to trek all
the way, in order to gain more merit. It is strongly believed
that if one is able to make three pilgrimages, one will be
granted good fortune.
The scene of the surrounding forests and the plains below
is breath-taking. The air is pure and the temperature comfortable.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock to this
sacred place of worship each year in the dry season, from
October to April.
Note: Information on this page supplied
by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar.
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