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Kyaiktiyo (pronounced chat-tee-yo), or the Pagoda of the Golden Rock, is a sacred pilgrimage site in Myanmar. It ranks third behind the Shwedagon and the Mahamuni Pagoda as the most important Buddhist site in the country. Kyaiktiyo is located 160km from Yangon, in Mon State. Devotees believe that the rock was placed there 2600 years ago by two nat. Crowning the gilded rock is a 5.5 metre (18ft) pagoda believed to contain a hair relic of the Buddha. The Golden Rock is located at Mount Kyaiktiyo. Pilgrims have to hike for 16km (10 miles) to get there. Alternatively, tourists can reach the rock by taking a jeep, followed by a 3km walk. Women are not allowed to touch or even come close to the rock. The Golden Rock appears to perch precariously on a cliff, seemingly defying gravity. It can be rocked by coordinated pushing of just two persons - without falling over. A thread can even be passed under it, causing some to believe that the rock is not actually touching the base, but is miraculously afloat. According to legend, the Golden Rock rests on a strand of Buddha's hair. The hair was given by Buddha to a hermit, Taik Tha, on one of his visit to earth. Taik Tha passed the hair to his adopted son, the 11th century Burmese King, Tissa, with a request that it be enshrined under a boulder which should be in the shape of Taik Tha's head. With the help from Thagymin, the king of nats, King Tissa found the perfect location to place the pagoda in which to enshrine the hair. Popular belief holds that the hair prevents the rock from tumbling down. The nearest village to the Golden Rock is Kinpun, some 16 km (10 miles) at the foot of Mount Kyaiktiyo. Pilgrims and tourists have to make the trek on foot to reach the rock, often barefooted as it is sacred ground.  Kyaiktiyo, the Golden Rock Author: © Ralf-André Lettau |
 Kyaiktiyo, the Golden Rock Author: Corto Maltese 1999 (cc-by-sa-2.0)  Kyaiktiyo, the Golden Rock Author: Yves Picq (GFDL) |
      
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