Nats are spirits that have been worshipped in Burma, in conjunction with Buddhism, since very ancient times. Nats have human characteristics, desires and needs, considered a weakness in traditional Buddhism. The cult of the Nats preceeded the introduction of Buddhism. Like elsewhere in South-East Asia, it was founded within the religion, giving birth to a syncretic religion where Buddha is the greatest of Nats and they watched over his birth. The most important place of pilgrimage for the Nats is Mount Popa, an extinct volcano located 50km from Bagan, on top of which numerous temples house relics. Like most Burman capitals, Mandalay was created on the wishes of the then ruler. On the 13th February 1857, King Mindon founded his new royal capital at the foot of Mandalay Hill in order to fulfill a prophecy concerning the founding of a Buddhism metropolis there for the 2,400th anniversary of the reglion. In June 1857, the Amarapura royal palace was dismantled and transported by elephant to the foot of Mandalay Hill.