What is "tagundaing"

Tagundaing refers to an ornamented monumental column or flagstaff, typically , found within the grounds of Burmese Buddhist pagodas and monasteries. These ornamented columns were raised within religious compounds to celebrate the submission of local animistic nats (spirits) to the Dhamma, the Buddhist doctrine and inspired by the Pillars of Ashoka.

A mythical hintha bird (or more rarely a kinnara), is generally found perching atop the column, while the base of the column may be decorated with Thagyamin. Vasudhara, the earth goddess, may also be found at the base.