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The Shwezigon Paya is one of the Myanmars most significant religious structures. Located four miles northeast of Old Bagan it truly is a national pagoda, since it served as a prototype for many later stupas built throughout Myanmar. Shwezigon is also a major national center of worship. Pilgrims come from many parts of Myanmar for its festival held during the Burmese month of Nadaw both because of its historic character and because of its religious significance for Burmese Buddhism. While the Shwezigon was one of the earliest symbols of the triumph of the purified Theravada Buddhism, it was also the first pagoda to allow nat images (pre-Buddhist spirits who had the power to do good or evil) within its walls. Its original builder, King Anawrahta (r. 1044-1077), even had images of the 37 traditional nats put on the lower terraces.
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Asia
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