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The most significant feature of Shwedagon Pagoda is consisting of eight genuine Sandaw ( Hairs of Head ) of the Lord Gawdama Buddha , which were kept , as treasures together with tremendous amount of precious stones and other jewellery inside the pagoda. All the more so, Shwedagon Pagoda was decorated with nine wonders. It is situated right on top of the "Thein Gottara Hill " , known as the highest hill in Yangon. The total amount of pure gold alone with Shwedagon can be expected as of today, nearly nine tones even. It was learnt that the last general renovation was done in the year 1232 ME-1871 during the era of King Mindon.
As has been well known, guildings including Shwehtidaw are gradually decaying and deteriorating due to time and weather over the period of 128 years.
Under the proper guidance of the State Peace and Development Council, All-round Perpetual renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda was successfully carried out, led by Secretary-1, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as Patron of the committee. Well-wishers not only Myanmar but also all over the world generously donated jewellery and cash for Htidaw Renovation of the Pagoda.
Structure
The perimeter of the base of the Pagoda is 1,420 fee and its height 326 feet above the platform. The base is surrounded by 64 small pagodas with four larger, one in the center of each side.
There also are 4 sphinxes, on at each corner with 6 leogryphs, 3 on each side of them. Projecting beyond the base of the Pagoda, one on the cener of each side are Tazaungs in which are images of the Buddha and where offerings are made.
There are also figures of elephants crouching and men kneeling, and pedestals for offerings all around the base. In front of the 72 shrines surrounding the base of the Pagoda, you will find in several places images of lions, serpents, ogres, yogis, spirits, or Wathundari (Recording Secretary Angel).
On the wall below the first terrace of the Pagoda at the WSW and WNW corners, you will see embossed figures. The former represents King Okkalapa who first built the Pagoda. The latter is a pair of figures; the one above represents Sakka who assisted in foundation of the Pagoda, and the one below, Me Lamu, consort of Sakka and mother of Okkalapa.
Tunnels
There are 4 entrances leading into the base of this great Shwedagon Pagoda. No one is sure what is inside. According to some legendary tales, there are flying and turning swords that never stop, which protect the pagoda from intruders; some says there are even underground tunnels that leads to Bagan and Thailand.
The Gold Plating of the Pagoda
In order to make the gilding stand the weather, the Trustees after the year 1900, decided to cover the bulbous spire, called the plantain bud with gold plates, each plate measuring 1 foot square and weighing 5 ticals of gold (0.18 pound). Subscriptions were called for and the work commenced in 1903, when the whole plantain bud was covered. It is on record that 4 such gold plates were donated by the late King George, V (then Price of Wales) and Queen Mary when they visited Myanmar in 1906.
The most notable building in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument that crowns a hill about one mile north of the Cantonment. The pagoda itself is a solid brick stupa (Buddhist reliquary) that is completely covered with gold. It rises 326 feet (99 m) on a hill 168 feet (51 m) above the city.