Popa Taung Kalat

what do "Popa" and "Taung Kalat" mean?

Popa derives from the Pali/Sanskrit term puppha ("flower"). Taung Kalat means "pedestal hill" and both names describe the sacred nature and shape of the volcanic massif and plug on which the monastery sits.

Mount Popa is a 1,518 m stratovolcano, ~50 km SE of Bagan (Mandalay Region). It features a horseshoe-shaped caldera 1.6 km wide and ~850 m deep, open to the NW. The complex includes the Taung Kalat volcanic plug, SW of the Popa.

The Popa is one of the spiritual axes of Myanmar. Here converge Buddhism and the cult of the Nats, protective spirits deeply rooted in Burmese culture. On the summit of Taung Kalat, shrines, stupas and reliquaries dedicated to these beings follow one another, with processions, music and offerings that turn the visit into a sensory experience. Several Nat festivities are celebrated according to the full moon (especially in Nayon and Nadaw), so it is advisable to check the calendar before scheduling the trip.

Taung Kalat: the monastery of the Nats (and the 777 steps)

Taung Kalat monastery crowns a promontory with a 777-step staircase. It is one of the main sanctuaries of the 37 Nats, revered spirits that coexist with Burmese Buddhism. From the top you get panoramic views of the Popa and, on clear days, the temples of Bagan.

The environment of Popa Mountain Park is a green oasis with springs, medicinal herbs and outstanding wildlife. In addition to the macaques that roam the staircase, the area is home to the Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa), a recently described critically endangered primate.

Festivals and traditions

The Popa is the epicenter of Nat festivals that vary according to the lunar calendar (with celebrations marked in Nayon and Nadaw, and local ceremonies around April/September depending on the year). If your trip coincides, it is a unique opportunity to see processions and offerings. Check dates before traveling.

Highlights

- Altitude Mount Popa: 1,518 m
- Crater: ~1.6 km wide × ~850 m deep
- Steps to Taung Kalat: 777
- Sights: Bagan and Taung Ma-gyi
- Flagship fauna: Macaques and Popa langur (CR)