Mount Popa ( puppa: taung) is a volcano 1518 metres (4981 feet) above sea level, believed to be extinct, and located in central Burma (Myanmar) about 50 km (30 miles) southeast of Bagan (alt: Pagan). It can be seen from the River Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) as far away as 60 km (40 miles) in clear weather.[1] Mount Popa is perhaps best known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat monastery atop an outcrop. The Popa Taungkalat (Taung Kalat) Shrine is home to 37 Mahagiri Nats, or spirits. Statues depicting the Nats are at the base of the Shrine.

Southwest of Mount Popa is Taung Kalat (pedestal hill), a 737 metre (2,417 ft) sheer-sided volcanic plug. A Buddhist monastery is located at the summit of Taung Kalat. At one time, the Buddhist hermit U Khandi maintained the stairway of 777 steps to the summit of Taung Kalat.[1] The Taung Kalat pedestal hill is sometimes itself called Mount Popa and given that Mount Popa is the name of the actual volcano that caused the creation of the volcanic plug, to avoid confusion, the volcano (with its crater blown open on one side) is generally called Taung Ma-gyi (mother hill). The volcanic crater itself is a mile in diameter.[3]

From the top of Taung Kalat, one can enjoy a panoramic view. One can see the ancient city of Bagan; behind it to the north, the massive solitary conical peak of Taung Ma-gyi rises like Mount Fuji in Japan. There is a big caldera, 610 metres (2,000 ft) wide and 914 metres (3,000 ft) in depth so that from different directions the mountain takes different forms with more than one peak. The surrounding areas are arid, but the Mt Popa area has over 200 springs and streams. It is therefore likened to an oasis in the desert-like dry central zone of Burma. This means the surrounding landscape is characterized by prickly bushes and stunted trees as opposed to the lush forests and rivers Burma is famous for.[3] Plenty of trees, flowering plants and herbs grow due to the fertile soil from the volcanic ash. Prominent among the fauna are Macaque monkeys that have become a tourist attraction on Taung Kalat.[1]

Monasterio Taung Kalat en Myanmar

Después de ver el impresionante Monasterio comenzaremos

diciendo que Taung Kalat significa "El pedestal de la colina" y con

mucha razón, puesto que la construcción se encuentra

increíblemente situada justo encima del Monte Popa en Burma.

Para acceder a él, tan sólo hay una opción. Una escalera colgante de 777 peldaños que lleva desde una de las

laderas hasta la cima del volcán donde se encuentra el Monasterio Budista.

Se sitúa a unos 1518 metros del nivel del mar y el monte no es sino el tapón de un volcán que, aunque lleva mucho

tiempo sin dar señales de vida, aún no se sabe con certeza si está activo o no.

Vista desde el Monasterio

Muchas son las leyendas que rodean al Monte Popa y su

Monasterio colgante.Los budistas la consideran

una montaña sagrada y morada de los más

poderosos Dioses (Nats)

Además es centro de peregrinación para los habitantes de Myanmar que lo suelen visitar en dos fechas señaladas: La fiesta de la luna llena de Nayon (mayo / junio) y la luna llena de Nadaw

(noviembre / diciembre).

La entrada principal al monasterio

El pueblo, llamado Kyaukpadaung, bajo las faldas del Monte Popa

El Monte Popa es un oasis en el desierto central de Birmania. Los alrededores son zonas áridas, pero el Monte Popa tiene un área llena de más de 200 arroyos de agua,

árboles, plantas con flores y hierbas crecen debido a la fértil ceniza volcánica. Asimismo es el hogar de muchos monos. 

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