Environment
 Mt. Popa
is an extinct volcano that is estimated to have
erupted for the final time, over three hundred
and twenty thousand years ago. However, popa’s
attraction today lies not so much in its
geological aspect, but more in its religious and
mystical interests which are still prevalent.
Popa is popularly recognized as an abode of many
"Nats".
H.L.
Chhibber in his publication "The Igneous Rocks
of the Mount Popa Region", described it as
"being in all respects an ideal example of a
recently extinct volcano, suitable for text-book
illustration. The main mountain originally had a
circular crater, but the whole of the
north-western side was blown away, probably by
the final paroxysmal outburst, which suggests
that the last eruption must have projected its
discharge inclined to the sides of the volcano
in that direction. The present mountain is,
therefore shaped like a horse-shoe, and it is
possible to walk into the crater through the
breach in the northern wall."Although the
mountain appears to be a single peak from a
distance, it is in fact a series of peaks; the
highest points being 4981, 4801 and 4501 feet
above sealevel. The main mass of Mt. Popa rests
on a level plateau, roughly 1000 feet above the
surrounding plains, and about 1800 feet above
sealevel. The actual volcano rises about 3000
feet from this base. On the extremity of the
south-western slopes lies the extremely
precipitous isolated peak known as the "Taung-ga-Lat".
Some believe that this could be part of the main
volcano, that was blown apart and landed as
though plugged at its present location. Others
theorize that it represents the infilled neck or
plug of a subsidiary volcano.
Whatever
the theories may be, it is evident from the
abundance of petrified trees within the Bagan
area, and the extent of huge boulders strewn far
and wide around the mountain, that this was once
a land of violent explosions, turbulent earth
movement and massive lava flows in ancient
times, which caused the existing forests to be
buried under. It is no a wonder then, that the
mountain had also been historically known, as
the "Dormant Fire Mountain".
However,
popa’s attraction today lies not so much in its
geological aspect, but more in its religious and
mystical interests which are still prevalent.
Popa is popularly recognized as an abode of many
"Nats" (spirits of ancient ancestors) who dwell
in various parts of the mountain. In the days of
old, it also used to be referred to as the
"Mountain of Spirits". The evidence of these
beliefs is abundant in the form of "nat
shrines", leg- ends, rituals, ceremonial
offerings, annual representative festivals, and
the never- ending stream of pilgrims and
believers in mysticism. Popa today is one of the
most popular pilgrimage spots in the country.
One would need to spend a sizeable amount of
time in order to unearth the spiritual and
legendary wealth of this sacred mountain.
For more
information about the Nats, please see Nat Pwe,
in Festivals category.
Some 50 km
southeast of Bagan, Mount Popa, 1,500 metres
high, is an extinct volcano. It is the legendary
home of the 'nats' or spirits. The Mount Popa
area has also been designated as a National
Park, a perfect place for eco-tourism.
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