Buddha’s first sacred hair relic pagoda, Botataung, Yangon.
This is the brief history of the famous Buddha’s Bronze image.
The Royal Palace Buddha’s Bronze Image
Buddha’s Image Returned to Myanmar from Britain
In 1859 by the Royal Order of King Mindon of Myanmar the gilded bronze image of the Buddha was cast in the Mandalay Palace the gilded bronze image was made of gold, silver, bronze, iron and lead in different proportions. Inside the Buddha’s image King Mindon enshrined Buddha’s sacred relics, consecrated and kept the image in the Royal glass palace to pay homage by the Royal Family. This image of the Buddha was later come to be known as the Royal Palace Bronze image.
In 1885 the British Annexed upper Myanmar and captured the Royal Palace King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat were Exiled to India, the Royal Palace Bronze Image was taken by the British Army and Shipped to Britain.
On the 4th of January 1948 Myanmar regained her independence and the Myanmar Government requested the British Government for the return of all the Royal Possessions taken from the Mandalay Royal Palace.
The Royal Palace Bronze Image was exhibited at the Victoria and the Albert Museum in London for Nearly 66 years. The Royal Palace Bronze Image was returned from Britain and finally reached Myanmar on the 17th of June 1951.
After residing in the temporary shrine, The Royal Palace Bronze Image was transferred to this newly built glass Panelled Shrine on the 16th of May 1981
After nearly 66 years in Britain, the Buddha’s image returned to Yangon, the capital of Myanmar.