Shwehsandaw

Dating to c. 11th century, the Shwehsandaw is associated with King Anawrahta of Bagan (1044-77). The shrine purportedly contains a sacred hair relic of the Buddha. The narrow bell-shaped stupa stands on a series of four terraces, which are white-washed. A number of unglazed plaques can be found in the niches on these terraces; they depict scenes derived from the Jatakas. The plaque decorations are cruder when compared to contemporaneous sites such as the East and West Hpetleiks, and Shwezigon. Today Shwehsandaw is a popular spot for watching sunset. By 5pm, one can observe hoards of people congregating on the terraces of the stupa waiting in great anticipation the arrival of twilight. An elongated building stands to the south of the stupa and it houses a large reclining Buddha. This structure likely dates to the 17th or 18th century. Mural paintings can be seen on the walls of the interior, but these all dated to the Konbaung period (18th-19th centuries).

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