The Golden Pagoda is built on plateau overlooking the plains at the foothill of the last fringes of Eastern Himalayas of Patkai Range in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is built in Burmese architectural design and style. The Golden Pagoda is built on a plateau overlooking the plains at the foothill of the last fringes of Eastern Himalayas of Patkai Range. It is built in Burmese architectural design and style. The Golden Pagoda complex is spread over 20 Hectares of land and the main shrine stands on a plinth area of 4272.58 sq ft. The height of Pagoda is 17.60 m. The Pagoda consists of 12 sub domes and the main and the largest dome is placed in the middle portion of the main shrine. The circumambulation path is laid in concrete.
The spire is tipped with a special ornamental umbrella piece. The main doors to the sanctorium of the Pagoda are wooden and hand carved. The whole body of pagoda is covered in gold paint shimmering like gold and thus called the ‘Golden Pagoda’.
Inside the shrine hall, the pure Bronze Buddha statue is placed in a meditating pose. The statue was donated by Ven Prakhu Pabhavana, Chief monk of Wat Aranjikavas temple of Thailand. The shrine hall has four entrances on east, north, west and south directions.
The main entrance to the hall faces north. The Buddha statue faces the north direction. The main entrance to the Golden Pagoda complex faces towards east, the direction where the Buddha attained Enlightenment. Each of the four entrances of the shrine hall is guarded by a pair of mythical lions.
On four corners of the outer base of the main shrine is a traditional Bell post; Nang Vasundri or the Goddess that is known to witness the offerings made in the temple by humans , Chowsang Siwili at other corner and four deities statue in last corner. There is a pond near the entrance Gate and the Ashoka pillar on the eastern side of the main shrine are some of the features of the Golden Pagoda complex. The Golden Pagoda complex houses a spacious shrine hall, a meditation hall, a multipurpose hall, a guest house, a library, a monastery to accommodate around 100 Bhikkhus and living quarters for the monks and novices. Within the complex there is an old age home as well as a dispensary for treatment of local people for free of cost. The Golden Pagoda is managed by the Board of members that are constantly striving for making the shimmering Golden Pagoda as one of the best of attractions across continents in years to come. Currently, here resides more than hundreds of young monks and also monks from across countries come for worshipping, making short and long stays for exchange of Dhamma talks and practices regularly.
It was in the year 1995-96, when Chowna Mein, currently the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, India and the donor of this temple went to Thailand with Ven. Phramaha Somboon Temduang and visited the beautiful Wat Aranjikavas.
Together they met the Chief monk ‘Prakhu Pabhavana’ (Kit-thun-thon) who donated (or gifted in charity) the huge Lord Buddha statue made of pure bronze (currently which is installed inside the Golden Pagoda) to Chowna Mein for spreading the essence of Buddha Sasana, worshipping and spiritual binding through his creation in India. Ven.
Prakhu Pabhavana was an excellent craftsman involved for years in sculpting, painting and designing Lord Buddha statues whom he usually gives away in charity. Most of his creations are prominent assets across beautiful Wats in most villages of Thailand. Chowna Mein brought the statue of Lord Buddha to India with his humble efforts to fulfil the aspirations of Buddhist community in Arunachal Pradesh.
This very statue is seated in the centre of Golden Pagoda. However, it was not easy for Chowna Mein to take up this huge responsibility in such short notice, but keeping the aspiration of the people in priority, he immediately looked out for a suitable site which would not only be a place for mere spectacle but a place of wholesome experience for visitors besides serving as a centre for imbibing Buddha’s Doctrines, Indigenous Traditional Studies, Recreation, Meditation and Religious activities. Hence it took considerably few years to find the enchanting site- Noi Chenam also known as Tengapani for construction of the Golden Pagoda.
With the help of community brothers and elders, the site was made ready after clearing the dense forest and construction of the historical monument started in the year 2008. Finally, the mesmerizing glittering adobe of heaven beauty on earth was completed for dedication to the service of Buddha in 2010. Thus the vision came into reality just in two years of time.
Finally, the auspicious dedication ceremony for handing over the noble cause to the world was initiated. Under the guidance of senior monks and the combined efforts of the resident monks, members of the public, community members and well-wishers, the Golden Pagoda was dedicated to the devotees by Chowna Mein, Nang Sati Mein (wife), Nang Sonia Mein (daughter), Chow Aditya Mein (son) and Chow Khanseng Mein (son).
The grand consecration lasted for three days (22nd, 23rd & 24th) in February 2010. More than 10,000 community members attended to witness the consecration ceremonies of the Golden Pagoda. Besides the monastic order from across India (Bodh Gaya, Khushinagar, Sarnath, Bangalore ) and abroad (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore) and people from all sections of society and walks of life attended the momentous ceremonies.
The ceremony was graced by H.E. Mr. Krit Kraichitti (Ambassador of Thailand to India) who joined along with his wife and other notable entourage from Thailand.