Bagan

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar/Burma. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to present day.

The square temples dominated by Mon influence are distinguished by their dark corridors which are dimly lighted by perforated windows and the bright frescoes of variegated colour with Mon writing on the walls. The typical Bagan Style temples are bright and airy within, with imposing plan and height. But there are also some temples with intermediate forms.

The Shwezigon Phaya (picture below) is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan, in Burma/Myanmar. It is a prototype of Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Phaya began during the reign of King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The phaya is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Phaya is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyansittha.

Shwezigon Phaya

Built by King Alaungsithu (1113-1163), the Thatbyinnyu is a transitional temple, standing between the Early Style of the Ananda, half a mile to the northeast, and the Late Style of the Gawdawpalin, half a mile to the northwest. It is one of the earliest double-storeyed temples, but the arrangement is different from that of later double-storeyed temples, much as if it were still an experiment in the new form.

Ceiling decorations inside one Phaya

It is possible to travel around Bagan to the different temple sites in horse-drawn carts. You can also hire bicycles and bike around the area on your own.

The Bagan plains has numerous Phayas of various sizes that has survived to this day.

The Ananda Phaya is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign (1084–1113) of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar/Burma. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian style of architecture.

Ananda Phaya

Inside the Ananda Phaya

Mahabodhi Tample was modeled after the famous Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar State, India during AD 500. It commemorates the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. This monument was built during the reign of King Nantaungmya (1211 - 34).

The spire, covered in niches which enclose seated Buddha figures, rises from a square block. This monument is different from the common bell shaped ones in Bagan.

Always take of shoes and socks before entering the Phayas

Decorating of lacquerware which is widely sold throughout Bagan.

Sources: Wikipedia and AncientBagan.com
All photos April 2012: © innwa.blogspot.com

Kaw-goon Cave

Kaw-goon Cave is one of the natural limestone caves situated at Kaw - goon village in Hpa-an Township, Kayin State.

The description of Kaw-goon Cave is found at the entrance to the cave.

The interior of Kaw-goon Cave includes many beautiful Buddhist images and statues. The Kaw-goon Cave is also known as the cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas.

The terracotta votive tablets can be found high up on the cliff faces.

All photos April 2012: © innwa.blogspot.com

Ya-The-Byan Cave

The Ya-The-Byan Cave is one of the natural limestone caves which is situated on the western side of Than Lwin River at 116 feet above sea-level, near the Ya-The-Byan village, Hpa-an Township, Kayin State (description from the sign at the entrance of the cave below). 

This description of the Ya-The-Byan Cave is found at the entrance to the cave.

There's a staircase leading up to the cave and it's also possible to walk through the cave and on the other side you will get an amazing view of the surrounding area. Outside the cave it's possible to feed monkeys who will show up when you throw food to them on the ground.

All photos April 2012: © innwa.blogspot.com

Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda

Kyauk Ka Lat (pronounced like chocolate) Pagoda (paya) is a rock formation with a golden stupa on the top, situated near Hpa-an in Kayin State. Kyauk Ka Lat is built on a small island in the middle of a lake. The Paya is surrounded by Karst mountains and cultivated land. From Kyauk Ka Lat you have a great view of the surrounding area and Zwekabin mountain.

Kyauk Ka Lat reflecting in the water and a view of Mount Zwekabin in the distance

View from Kayuk Ka Lat

All photos April 2012: © innwa.blogspot.com

Mohinga

Mohinga (sometimes spelled Mohingar) is a delicious noodle soup considered by many to be the national dish of Burma/Myanmar. Most people eat this dish as breakfast, although it's sold throughout the day from small bicycle stalls, cafes and restaurants.

Mohinga from a restaurant in Hpa-an, Kayin State April 2012

The main ingredients of Mohinga is vermicelli noodles, fish sauce, catfish, fish paste, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, banana stem, onions and chickpea flour. Garnish with dried chili and coriander to suit your own taste.

There are slightly different ways of cooking Mohinga depending on which part of the country you are in.

Here you can find the recipe for mohinga, including a good video demonstration in English on how to make it.


Source: SBS.com.au
Photo: © innwa.blogspot.com

Shwedagon Pagoda

"Then, a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon, a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun, of a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple-spire. It stood upon a green knoll, and below it were lines of warehouses, sheds, and mills. Under what new god, thought I, are we irrepressible English sitting now?" ~Rudyard Kipling, Letters from the East, 1889

This description by Rudyard Kipling of his first encounter with the amazing Shwedagon Paya (Shwedagon Pagoda) over a hundred years ago is still valid today. Everyone arriving in Yangon will be mesmerised by this golden temple complex which dominates the skyline of Yangon.

It's place of peace and tranquility which is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Yangon streetlife. At night Shwedagon is illuminated and is exceptional visible around the city.

Shwedagon Paya is the most sacred Buddhist monument in Burma/Myanmar, situated on Singuttara Hill in Yangon. It's over 2500 years old and that makes it the oldest historical Paya in Burma/Myanmar and the world.

One of the four entrances leading up to the Paya

The Singu Min Bell

The tip of the stupa consists of 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. At the very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat diamond. The top soars 100 meters or more above the hilltop and can be seen from quite far away.

The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. People all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the paya to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.

Pilgrims from all over Burma/Myanmar travel to Shwedagon Paya to say their prayers and ask for good health and prosperity at this sacred place, which is enshrined with eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Gold leafs are sold throughout the complex and attaching the gold leafs is a way to show respect to this holy place.

During the hottest summer months the tiles on the floor can get soaring hot, making the few tourists that come here hurry from shade to shade to give their feet a rest. 

Sources: Wikipedia and Shwedagon.org
All photos April 2012: © innwa.blogspot.com