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WELCOME TO MYANMAR EXOTIC TRAVEL |
Mandalay
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Mandalay is situated about 600 kilometers
north of Yangon on the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is Myanmar's second
largest city. Located in the Mandalay Division, it is the
Capital. Mandalay is one of the largest cities in the country.
It is also the major trading and communications center in
northern and central Myanmar and is linked by rail with other
large Myanmar cities. Mandalay is surrounded by its ancient
neighboring cities as Mingun, Sagaing, Innwa (Ava), and
Amarapura.
Mandalay is the historical old capital, a
capital of Myanmar culture, Buddhist Sasana and Myanmar
traditional arts and crafts, with the life span of one hundred
and forty two years, a city that abounds in historical sites,
cultural memorials and Buddhist edifices.
Accordingly, it is the richest historical
landmark next to Bagan. Despite the wonderful sound of its name,
inviting associations to an archaic fairy tale kingdom, Mandalay
is neither very old nor particularly beautiful. But Mandalay was
the capital of the last, independent Burmese kingdom, which in
1886 was finally conquered by British colonial forces.
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Mahar Myat Muni Pagoda
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The Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image is the most revered Buddha
image in Mandalay. It is also known as the Phaya Gyi. It is the
most ancient Buddha image in Myanmar. It was cast in the
life-span of Lord Buddha in the seated posture of relaxed
deportment, namely Bumi Phasa Mudras, symbolic of His Conquest
of Mara. The 4m high-seated image is cast in bronze and weigh
6.5 tons, which it's crown is decorated with diamonds, rubies,
and sapphires. Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image was being cast in
front of the Buddha himself it can say Mahar Myat Muni Buddha
Image is the portrait of Buddha and the face is most revered.
Every morning at 4:30AM, a team of monks washes the face and
brushes the teeth. Since Myanmar Buddhists are so devout
countless thousands of devotees apply gold leaf to gain merit,
the image has completely covered with 15 cm thick gold and
original shape is distorted. |
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Kuthodaw Pagoda (World's Largest Book)
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The Kuthodaw Pagoda or Maha Lawka Marazein
Paya is often called the world’s largest book. It is a large
walled complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to
Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon at the same time he
was constructing the Royal Palace. Its central stupa is modeled
on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near Bagan.
The Kuthodaw Paya (Pagoda), or Maha Lawka
Marazein Paya, contains what often is called the world’s largest
book. It is a large walled complex situated at the base of the
southeast stairway to Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon
at the same time he was constructing the Royal Palace. Its
central stupa is modeled on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near
Bagan. An on-site carved tablet indicates that the pagoda’s
height is 187 ft 9 in, high, while some guide books list it at
100 ft (30 m). The former includes the platform in the
measurement.
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Mandalay Palace
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Mandalay palace was the first palace to be built in Mandalay, by
King Mindon when he shifted his capital from Amarapura in 1861,
to fulfill an old prophecy. The site was chosen with the
auspicious omen and astronomical calculations.
The reflection of the Mandalay on the eastern
moat is a beautiful scene to behold from the southeastern
corner. The panoramic view of the Palace and the surrounding
areas as far as the Sagaing Bridge, the Ayeyarwady River and the
hill ranges seen from the Mandalay Hill during sunset will be an
enchanting experience. The beautiful palace with many other
buildings were destroyed by fire due to the ravages of been
reconstructed in brick masonry from photographic records, plans
and drawings.
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Mandalay Hill
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Just outside the North of downtown, Mandalay Hill which summit
is 230 m above the surrounding plain is the natural watch-tower
for the visitors to watch sunrise or sunset over the city
plains. At the bottom in front of the southwest entrance are the
two immense statue of Lions guard the holy hill. |
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Shwenandaw Monastery
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The Shwenandaw monastery is the most significant of Mandalay’s
historic buildings, since this ‘Golden Palace Monastery’ remains
the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built
by King Mindon in the mid-nineteenth century.The Shwenandaw is a
wonderfully fragile yet grand example of 19th century myanmar
teak architecture and also a significant masterpiece of the
wood-carver’s art. |
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Atumashi Monastery
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The Atumashi Kyaung, or Incomparable Monastery (Maha Atulawaiyan
Kyaungdawgyi) , was originally built in 1857 by King Mindon
(1853-1879), who had founded his new capital of Upper Burma at
Mandalay just a few years earlier in 1855. It was one of the
King’s last great religious construction project. The original
Atumashi was a magnificent wooden structure with considerable
exterior stucco and set on a high platform reached by a formal
ceremonial staircase. Instead of the traditional “pyatthat”
(graduated wooden spires of decreasing size) and multi-roof
design of traditional monastic buildings, the Atumashi was a
huge grandiose structure surrounded by five graduated
rectangular terraces. It was considered one of Southeast Asia’s
most magnificent buildings. |
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Around Mandalay
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