Why is the Kyaiktiyo golden?

The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock, is not actually made of gold. It's a large boulder covered in gold leaf.

Here's why it's golden:

* Religious Significance: The pagoda is a sacred site for Buddhists, and it's believed that the rock is miraculously balanced on a single strand of Buddha's hair. Devotees often visit the pagoda to pay respects and to offer gold leaf as a symbol of their faith and devotion.

* Tradition: The practice of covering the rock with gold leaf dates back centuries. Pilgrims have been applying gold leaf to the rock for generations as a way to honor the site and create a visually stunning spectacle.

* Pilgrimage: The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a popular pilgrimage site, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The act of applying gold leaf is seen as a pilgrimage ritual, and it's believed to bring good luck and blessings.

So, the Golden Rock isn't golden because of its composition, but because of the layers of gold leaf that have been applied to it over centuries by devout pilgrims.