If you go there by waterway, it is 21 nautical miles from Maw Tin Jetty.

Myanmar has over 300 cities. According to historical testimonials, Twantay was the ancient city, which stands nearest to the present capital Yangon. It has linkages with Bagan, Innwa, Taunggoo and Koneabaung eras.

Agriculture and Fisheries are the main business for populace. Local products such as bamboo, rattans, bamboo-trays, sieves, and bamboo-chairs are also produced there. As pottery is one of their industries, you can see many potters’ workshops. You can also see many looms, as weaving is also another traditional industry.

You can see the “Tuktapat” trees, which only grow in Twantay, Mandalay, Pyay and The Htone. There are two kinds of “Tuktapat” tree male and female. The “ Tuktapat” fruit is considered royal, because in ancient times, this fruit is consumed only by kinds. One strange thing about this fruit is that, it can only be eaten when the fruit ripens and fall off the tree.

This fruit is said to be good for your health if dip in honey and eaten. Nowadays, monks and old people consume this fruit for their health.

The ancient city of Twantay, is not only prosperous, pleasant and beautiful but also famous for its ancient historical ShweSanDaw pagoda.

U Zaw Win (Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees)

There are four pagodas in Mynmar which is titled "ShweSanDaw", "hair of the Buddha" Twantay ShweSan Daw, Taung Ngu ShweSanDaw, Pyay ShweSanDaw and Bagan ShweSanDaw. This ShweSanDaw was established by ancient "Mon" Kings over 2,500 years ago. A brick Stupa enshrined with 6-hair of Buddha was established on "MayYuDa" hill at Southern most part of Bago Mountain Range. This Stupa is "OkkDaikTha" Stupa, which is indicating to the Lord Buddha, and now is revered as ShweSanDaw Pagoda.

After hoisting the diamond bud, vane and umbrella atop this historic ShweSanDaw Pagoda, we have laid down 3 work plans to be implemented.

The first one is to build a hall for the old umbrella, which has been kept on the pagoda platform, and to maintain it. The second is to rebuild ShweMann Prayer-hall as the larger one, and the last one is to renovate the east and west stairways as they are very old and decayed.

At this pagoda, which is the pride of TwanTay, seasonal pagoda festivals are always held. This is the period of Thadingyut Festival, the 7th month of Myanmar Calendar. All five different kinds of Lotus are blooming in this season.

On the Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut, the Lord Buddha descended to the human abode from Celestial abode after preaching Abhidhamma Discourse. The descent of the Lord Buddha from Tavatimsa through the ruby stairway, accompanied by celestial beings on his right through gold stairway and Brahmins on His left through the silver stairway was so gracious and splendid that the whole universe became so transparent by 6 beams of the Lord Buddha. In reference to it, the lighting festival has been held.

On this day, every house is illuminated with colourful lights. Being a significant day, Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut is also designated as Abhidhamma Day. Moreover, respect-paying ceremonies to parents, teachers and aged persons are also held on this day.

The day before the Fullmoon Day, well wishers come and donate fruits and flowers to offer to the Pagoda happily. In the morning of Fulloom Day, these fruits and delicious foods are offered to the Pagoda at 4-gateway of the Pagoda and the prayer-halls. Beginning from the dawn, devotees from far and near come to the Pagoda and pay their obeisance. The pagoda platform is densely crowded with devotees.

In the afternoon, rice-offering ceremony is held at the pagoda platform. Well-wishers donate rice and provisions to the monks, sons of the Lord Buddha, in order to do their religious deeds without worrying.

After the rice offering ceremony, there comes Myanma Traditional Boxing Competition, which can make the spirit of Myanmar, alert and active, and their body, stronger and stout. You will come to know the courage, ability and stamina of Myanmar by watching this competition. The audience gives their support heartily and joyously.

From dawn, till the evening the Pagoda Festival is alive with devotees as well as the visitors who come to see the communal events. At night, the Pagoda is crowded with visitors who come to enjoy the festivities. They can buy their necessities on their return, after paying homage to the Pagoda.

" ShweMann "Theatrical Drama is staging its shows, without spoiling the genuine Myanma traditional fine arts. They perform the audience with opening song, variety song, melodious dance, cultural songs, opera, play and duet dance. ShweSanDaw Pagoda Festival has been celebrating resoundingly for five days.

So, I would like to invite all of you to come and pay obeisance to this ancient historical ShweSanDaw Pagoda, which is enshrined with 6-sacred hairs of the Lord Buddha.