The shrine, housing a hair from the Buddha's head, is one of Myanmar's holiest and some 2, 000 years old.

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Every day lorries loading and unloading manoeuvre right at the Buddha's feet.

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Built in 2008 to showcase the Buddha's teaching, the pagoda is the world's largest unsupported dome structure, pieced together using an ancient technique of interlocking blocks.

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Buddhists believe it is their duty to make pilgrimages to places of key events in the Buddha's life and Lumbini has already attracted large groups of devotees.

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Later, you'll visit the Jiva spa or the Sarnath Stupa (the site of Buddha's first teachings), take a carriage ride, or return to town to shop for brocade or visit the evening aarti (prayer ceremony).

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The monk who greeted them asked if they would like to view the temple's Buddha statue.

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Step in line with numerous pilgrims in Kandy's Unesco-rated Sacred City to visit the Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth and home to the country's most important Buddhist relic - allegedly a tooth of the Buddha.

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Professor Erwin Emmerling of the Technical University of Munich, Germany, said reconstruction of the female Buddha is possible, using remaining parts and other materials, according to the university's website.

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