rock or boulder and the rock table on which it
is resting are independent of each other; the golden rock has an overhang of
half its length and is perched at the extreme end of the sloping surface of the
rock. There is a sheer vertical drop in the rock face, into the valley below. A
lotus shape is painted in gold leaf, encircling the base of the rock. It
appears as though the boulder will crash down at any moment. A staircase leads
to the pagoda complex that houses several viewing platforms, pagodas,
Buddha
shrines, and
Nat (spirit)
(spirits worshipped in
Burma
in conjunction with
Buddhism shrines). However, the Golden
Rock is the main attraction for the pilgrims who offer prayers and also stick
golden leaves on the rock in reverence. A short distance away, there is a
circle of gongs with four statues of
nats
and
angels
in the centre.
A main square close to the golden rock has many establishments that deal
in religious paraphernalia for worship and offerings made by the pilgrims.
Adjoining the plaza area is the Potemkin village where restaurants, gift shops,
and guest houses are located. A new terrace has been built at a lower level
from which visitors can get a good view of the rock and the pagoda
