Bago, Myanmar (Burma)

The Shwemawdaw, or 'Great Golden God Pagoda' of Bago, has been growing for over 1000 years. Originally built to a height of 23 meters, it has, over the centuries, become the tallest of the Burmese pagodas and now rises 114 meters. As with other pagodas, this growth in size occurred during numerous reconstruction periods, usually following great earthquakes. The most recent quake, in 1930, nearly leveled the ancient structure, and it was not until 1952 that it again dominated the Bago skyline. In this photograph, the pagoda is entirely encircled by scaffolding composed of only bamboo poles. Workers climb this scaffold to apply golden paint to the sides of the pagoda. Legends say that enshrined beneath the towering pagoda are the hairs and teeth of the Buddha. Because of these relics, Shwemawdaw is visited by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours of the day and night.