By Nic
Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, with nearly 90% of its population practicing Buddhism, which is why temples and pagodas can be found throughout the land. Thanks to devout followers frequently gilding the structures with gold leaf, these pagodas shine brilliantly, earning Myanmar the nickname “Land of Golden Pagodas.”
Dimitar Karanikolov, an architect and photographer from London, UK, was captivated by these “golden pagodas,” so he used drones and hot air balloons to capture these magnificent structures from the sky.
The photos taken by Karanikolov are from Bagan, Yangon, and Mandalay, with each temple boasting a history of thousands of years. Some are situated within forests and cannot be fully appreciated from the ground, but aerial views clearly reveal their scale and symmetrical architecture.
These images not only highlight the beauty of the temples’ designs but also illustrate the role of Buddhism in Myanmar’s past and present. In Bagan alone, there are over 10,000 temples, many of which are regularly restored.
Although Myanmar has an ancient relationship with religion, Karanikolov’s modern photography techniques offer a fresh perspective on these sacred sites.
To view more works by photographer Dimitar Karanikolov, you can visit his Instagram, Behance, and Facebook.
Source: MyModernMet