Mount Popa is an extinct volcano near the city of Bagan. This place is known primarily for the monastery located on the top. It is a sacred place for the Burmese and one of the most interesting attractions of this country.
Taung Kalat Monastery is located at an altitude of 737 m above sea level. There is also a temple that, according to Burmese beliefs, is the seat of 37 local deities and spirits, the so-called natas.
777 steps
Looking at the almost vertical great mountain, it seems almost impossible to climb. However, you can easily get to the top by climbing exactly 777 metal stairs covered with a metal roof.
On these stairs we will encounter hundreds of nasty and aggressive monkeys that wander among the owl's droppings. It is not a nice sight, and aggressive macaques mean that tourists do not feel too safe there, because these monkeys are everywhere and they even jump on people.
A legend about the mountain
Mount Pop has its own story. Popa Medaw, also called Me Wunna, was a ogre, a mighty Natem that inhabited the mountain, and ate only flowers growing on the side of the mountain. The ogre fell in love with King Anawratha's soldier Byatt, and the fruit of their love were two deities - Shwe Hpyin Naungdaw and Shwe Hpyin Nyidaw.
Byatta was executed because of his disobedience to the king, and Me Wunn`ie broke my heart. Mountain m from then on is also called the mountain of love, and Me Wunna and Byatta have become symbols of a happy relationship.
