A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

A BURMESE WONDERLAND. 83
originally to discourage Burmane.
All these crowds are
housed in sheds spreading along the river bed for nearly
two miles. Some of the sheds are built by the pagoda
trustees, others by stall-holders, and others by goldleg-f
sellers who retail gold leaf to the pilgrims. This
temporary town is an important market, crowded by
day and brilHantly Ut by night : and there are endless
stalls, eating-shops, pwes, merry-go-rounds, and other
deUghtful amusements. The crowd is in hohday mood,
but of course (being Burman) is subject at intervals
to sudden and violent disturbances. However,
while we were there, I think only one person was
kiUed.
The sanctity of Shwe-zet Daw arises from the fact
that the Buddha aUghted here on his legendary visit
Burma.
The spot is marked by a Httle gold pagoda in
the river bed. In this ravine lived a demon, Pananda
Naga Min ; and on the hill above a hunter, Thit-saban-da-ra
Mokso (" The Faithful").
to
Both were converted,
and besought Buddha to leave a mark (set). The
Oolden Royal Marks {Shwe Set Daw) which the Buddha
made are two footprints, one in the river bed, and the
other halfway up the hill. Both marks are now
enshrined and thickly coated with gold leaf which
pilgrims lavish upon them. Such in brief is the legend.
It has many ramifications. For instance, the hunter
shot a deer from the top of the hill. There is a dent
in the rock where he knelt, and you will specially marvel
at this. There is a shrine to Kathapa Buddha, and