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Published: February 12th 2015
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Night in Old Bagan
Beautifully lit temples, pagodas and stupas surround the area. Real gold leaf shines in sunlight and by lights. We are now in Bagan, Myanmar. Ignore above location as the website does not give Bagan as a choice. Bagin is a village founded back in 9th century -- 849 by the Peu ethnic group who are the original Burmese people. At that time there was no Buddhism but Animalist was practiced which is a religion that honors the dead (OK, these are my interpretations, please don't quote for I am not accurate in my descriptions). Therevada Buddhism began here in Bagan back in the 11th century and consequently lots and lots of construction of temples, stupas and pagodas were constructed, resulting in the most concentrated area in the world for these relics. Bagan is called the City of Four Million Pagodas (many are small). A major earthquake occurred in 1979 and it was after this that they discovered these beautiful structures which had been covered with vegetation and otherwise buried. There were 2217 left after the 7.2 quake and there are over 3,100 now after individual groups and countries have donated funds for the renovations.
New Bagan is where the local people were relocated and Old Bagan is where the ancient temples, pagodas and stupas are concentrated within a
Shwe Sandaw Pagoda
5 levels straight up with absolutely beautiful views of the thousands of temples, pagodas and stupas in surrounding countryside. 26 mile radius. I can not adequately describe the beauty and historical significance --- simply amazing. The town of 30,000 has limited electricity so when the sun goes down, people go to bed. Few cars, many horse drawn carriages and lots of bicycles & motor bikes. Very quiet and peaceful, especially compared to Yangon. The people are very proud of their heritage.
We first visited the tallest Pagoda which has 5 terraces and is called Shwe Sandaw Pagoda. I believe Ray climbed to the top, I stopped at the 2nd level. The view was incredible as you can see pagodas through out the landscape. Buddhists believe that you can not take material goods with you in the afterlife so stupas are built to house a few artifacts from this life. A body or bones of a body are never housed but something such as a piece of clothing or hair strands may be. Special stupas house possessions from former Buddhas.
Sharing one's merits is a huge belief and after one does, the word Sadu is said 3 times ("I share my merits with you"). I am trying to share but it is not easy when bombarded by some
Thanaka
Thanaka is a mixture of the bark of a lemon plant and water to make a paste. It is applied daily to the face by women, children, and some men. Used as a sunscreen and for beauty. Unique to Burma. of the most aggressive vendors I have witnessed in our travels. "Mam, I will give you the best price. What color you like? I have it for you. Later, OK? Remember me, you come back to me. I see you later and you buy from me......... Please, help me send my children to school." I try to make a bee-line to the bus where it serves as a safer haven!!
We visited the local market in Old Bagan also the U BA NYEIN Lacqueware Work Shop where they still practice the original way of making intricate lacqueware. The number of steps they go through to make one piece is incredible. There is no other place in the world that still does it all totally by hand and using ancient methods using horse hair, bamboo or wood as a base for the intricately crafted bowls and statues. Other lacquer artisans throughout the world are beginning to resort to machinery for at least part of the long process that takes days or months to complete. These are truly artisans.
This evening we took a jetty (boat) up the Irrawady River where we viewed local life as well as tourists enjoying
One of 4 huge Buddhas inside the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda
We spent about 1.5 hours walking (bare feet) and learning about Theravada Buddhism. This is one of 4 huge Buddhas inside the complex. There are 400 throughout. a picnic on a sandbar island. This is the longest river in Burma and is around 1200 miles long. We enoyes a picnic of sorts but ours consisted of chips and beer as we watched the boats pass and the beautiful sunset. We were surrounded by distant pagodas, temples and stupas draped in gold leaf and lit as the darkness fell. Back to New Bagan for a lovely restaurant dinner. Enjoy the pictures.
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