Everything You Need to Know About Mount Popa

1.   Is it worth to pay a visit to Mount Popa?

Mount Popa is the Taung Kalat monastery (meaning pedestal hill) which is a Buddhist temple and the most beautiful one.

Buddhism in Mount Popa is strikingly different as compared to Buddhism in other parts of Asia.

The first and foremost thing to learn is that Burmese Buddhism believes in spirits called Nats. In their traditions, Nats are able to influence terrestrial lives and are worth of worship, so they can bring luck and prosperity if treated right.

Nats are actually malicious ghosts, taking forms such as demons and goblins which evolved from male and females who died from unusually painful deaths, sometimes caused by alcoholism.

Hence, we can say that the center of the Nat worshiping in Myanmar is Mount Popa and if you dare to risk a trip to the place, you may see some pilgrims bringing offerings (such as flowers, money or alcohol) that supposedly appease the evil creatures.

2.   How difficult is it to climb Mount Popa?

It isn’t that difficult to climb Mount Popa. If you’re reasonably fit to climb, you can do it with no major obstacle. However, make sure carry socks to avoid dirt from the stairs.

As per a report by National Geographic, there is a population of nearly 2,000 rhesus macaques living around the monastery, which is also taken care of.

Note: [They can turn aggressive when they see food, so please refrain from eating or carrying any food with you while you climb the stairs]

3.   What to expect there?

For the first timers, things can be a little amusing. There will be vendors’ selling clothes and souvenirs in the stairs (a big bazaar), cleaners taking care of the monkeys mess, people asking for donations, and even people watching soccer in the alter (rare in a culture).    

4.   How to get there?

You can get there very easily. You can hire a driver in Bagan which will be very inexpensive way to travel in Myanmar.

Mount Popa is roughly 50 kilometers from Bagan, and because of the roads not being well conserved, you may want to calculate more time than usual. One day trip with a stop somewhere to eat is ideal.

5.   How to prepare yourself?

Put on your most comfortable clothes which can cover your neckline and shoulders, cotton skirts (or pants) are ideal, same as in Bagan.

Entrance Fees: around 5US $ per person

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