Snake Pagoda (Paleik)
ရတနာလာဘမုနိ မြွေဘုရား
A temple about 20 kilometers south of Mandalay where several large pythons coil around the Buddha statue and are revered as deities. Each morning monks bathe the snakes in a ritual.
The Paleik Snake Pagoda’s official name is Yadanarbon Mahamuni Pagoda. Since 1974, a Burmese python slid into the temple and coiled around the Buddha statue and refused to leave. Believers regard it as the reincarnation of a high monk, and the temple has since kept several large pythons. Each morning at about 11 o’clock, monks carry the snakes to a pool of flower petals for a bath while worshippers compete to donate and pray for blessings. It is in the town of Paleik, about 20 kilometers south of Mandalay, and is usually combined with Amarapura and Inwa on the same day. Those who are afraid of snakes should take care, and do not touch them.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00 (snake-washing ritual around 11:00)
Nearby sights
- U Bein Bridge
- Mahagandayon Monastery
- Inwa (Ava)
- Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery
- Pahtodawgyi (Amarapura)
- Bagaya Monastery
- Yadana Hsemee Pagoda Complex
- Sagaing Hill