I lived in Thanlyin for a few years, when I was young. So, I have long wanted to visit it. Luckily, my long-awaited chance came to me last Monday.
That morning , when my brother told me about their trip to Thanlyin by phone, I was in the class at the University of Foreign Languages .As I did not want to miss this opportunity , I requested permission from the professor to accompany my brother to Thanlyin .The professor acceded to my request .When my brother came to the gate of the university where I was awaiting their arrival, I found in their car some writers , with whom I was quite acquainted.
It was 11:30, when we got to the Thanlyin Bridge .The sun was already up in in the cloudy sky , half hidden among the clouds .The turbulent Yangon river was lingering lazily under it .When I throw my look towards the surface of the water, I saw a wide expanse of Yangon river.Suddenly , I remembered my frequent swimming with my brothers near the bank of Yangon river . On the left down, some distance from the bridge were a sand-bank and a small island covered with green tall grass . When our car approached the other side of the bridge , the tops of the tall trees growing in a line starting from the water-edge seemed to be rising up quickly towards our car running on the bridge .After our car had crossed the junction at the entrance of Thanlyin, we espied the arched gate-way into the precincts of the Shin Hmwe Lun Pagoda some metres away on the right .And then our car again made its way a long Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Road. We did not stop on the way until Kyauktan where the Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated. When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek , where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda was situated .When we reached the Hmaw Wam creek, where Kyaik Maw Wam Pagoda stood , it was already 12.So our group members were very hungry.
Thus , we entered a food center where Myanmar traditional cuisines are sold . Then , we partook of meals and other delicious curries to our heart's content. Then we bought the flowers for Buddha images and the feed for the fishes and pigeons. Next, we walked to the ferry -port on the bank of the Maw Wam creek , in the middle of which the Kyaik Maw Wam was located. Many sellers ran after us and sold their goods .I bought some lottery tickets from a lottery-ticket seller .
To save time, we hired a motered-boat for 3000 Kyats .When we reached the islet where the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was, we found there many pilgrims from different walks of life ,some feeding food to big fish coming to the pagoda with the currents and to pigeons and some paying homage to the wish-fulfilled marble Buddha image in the shrine room .It was wonderful to see fish bobbing up to water -surface and pulling the feed down into the water. I also saw the statue of Venerable Upagutta in a brass shrine near the shrine room .Legend has it that the Kyaik Maw Wam pagoda was built by king Bhogasena , ruler of Pada Kingdom in the year283 Sasana Era, that its original height was seven cubits and then king Tutta Naga , the tenth of his descendants , enshrined in it one hair-relic of the Buddha and other relics brought from Sri Lanka .It was uplifted to the height of 34 cubits in 1909 and given renovation in 1948 and 1989 respectively .We left pagoda at 2:00 pm .On the way back , we dropped in on the Kyaik Khauk Pagoda standing majestically on Uttaringa Hill and other historical sites .
We felt hungry and exhausted at 3:15 pm .Therefore we stopped over at food centre " Lucky Morning " in downtown Thanlyin. We ate fried tofu , spring rolls and other refreshments . We drank tea there .Then we return home straight. Although we felt stiffed and tired due to the constant posture in the car all the way, we were refreshed by the beautiful green landscapes on both sides of the way and my desire to visit Thanlyin was fulfilled.
We got five consecutive holidays in the middle of March. So, we, at the invitation of our eldest sister Dr Kyawt Khin, Rector of the Polytechnic University (Maubin), paid for a day trip to Maubin, a thriving town 46 miles from Yangon. That day, we set out there in a mini-bus around 8 am. Our team consisted of my family members, relatives, and friends, totalling 20.At 8:20 am, our bus reached the Bayintnaung Bridge that spanned the Hlaing River. We saw the glittering surface of the river in the glow of the rising morning sun. A few motor boats, cargo vessels and sampans were inching along the course of the river. When we were crossing Hlinethaya, we found the FMI City, the Nawade Garden City, tea shops, restaurants, industrial zones, four-storeyed apartments and offices on the sides of the road. We also noticed many people swarming around bus stops, waiting for the buses. Some factory employees in their uniforms were getting off the shuttle buses in front of the industrial zones. Some hawkers were selling their food loudly. The scene was in a commotion. At 8:30 am, we arrived at the toll gate on the outskirts of Hlinethaya.Then, our bus followed the Yangon-Pathein Highway. We espied some resorts, rice mills, lakes, fields and hamlets on the roadsides. We often saw clumps of green trees and rickety huts in the stubble fields. However, in some fields, paddy plants turned yellow. And, a few farmhands were labouring in the fields. As our bus went further and further, the scene became more and more countrified. As we escaped from the distractions of daily city life, we were refreshed and relaxed. As it was a holiday, there was heavy traffic on the road. But some cars were running in a tearing rush, overtaking ours quickly.At 9:40 am, we got out of the limits of Yangon Region. Soon, we got to Sarmalauk, a prosperous village in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Region. We got off the bus for the communal pee for about 15 minutes and continued along the highway. With its economic development, Sarmalauk took on the look of a small town with factories, rice mills, mini stores, company offices, brokerage houses, restaurants and tea shops.When we got beyond Sarmalauk, we diverted from the Yangon-Pathein highway and took the Yangon-Maubin highway. The landscape on the roadsides changed. The road was lined with tall teak trees and shady rain trees. We, on the left side, caught sight of vast alluvial plains stretching many miles eastwards. On the plains were found many paddy fields, fish-breeding pond-cum-fowl-farms, groves of banana plants and betel-nut palms, and corn, eugenia and green-pea plantations.On the right side, villages stood adjoining. Rice mills, animal feed factories and rice brokerage houses were witnessed at the edge of some villages. Not long before, we passed the Nyaungdon oil field junction. It was a place busy with mini stores, restaurants, petrol stations and other modern amenities and facilities. We proceeded along and soon saw the Mahadhammapala monastery on the right side. At about 11 am, we arrived at the Maubin Bridge which crossed the Toe River, a tributary of the Ayeyawady River. It was over 2,500 feet in length and was built in 1998 during the time of the State Peace and Development Council. A few green vegetable plantations were seen on a big sandbank which emerged near the northern shore.A few minutes later, we saw the signboard reading ‘Welcome to Maubin’. It is learnt that Maubin obtained its name because it was built on a site where Mau trees (Sarcocephalus Cordatus) grew densely. It was built by the British Government in 1872. But it developed into a big town in a few years due to its thriving economy bolstered by agriculture and fishery. So it was designated as a district-level city in 1902 and put under the charge of a Deputy Commissioner.When our bus came into Maubin, we, on the left, observed the Maubin Polytechnic University (Faculty of Computing) standing in a wide precinct with a petrol station beside it. When we reached downtown, we found a statue of Bogyoke Aung San erected at a junction of four roads. The traffic of Maubin was much lighter than that of Yangon. We turned right and pursued west. Within ten minutes, we got right in front of the Polytechnic University (Maubin), which was located on the outskirts of the town. There was a grove of shady trees near the university gate. Our team was ushered in by our eldest sister and then led inside the university estate. The main building was a very large, square-shaped, two-storeyed building, at the centre of which was a lotus pond with sprinkling water fountains. The campus was clustered with many buildings such as workshops, laboratories, canteens, student hostels and staff quarters. A big three-storeyed building and a sports stadium were under construction. I noticed that as the university was fully provided with academic facilities and operated well under the close supervision of the thoughtful, experienced rector, it had today become a centre for all the young people who took a great interest in engineering subjects from the neighbouring areas of Maubin. So it was upgraded to the Polytechnic University (Maubin) in November 2024, having combined it with the Maubin Computer University.At about noon, our group trooped to a food stall near a clock tower next to the bank of the Toe River. As we all were overcome by hunger, we wolfed down on the lunch. The waiters and waitresses had got their hands full, as they had to satisfy the demanding customers like us. However, we saw them very pleased with catering to our group. When we went out after lunch, we espied the shimmering gilded Shwebon Myint Pagoda in some distance. It was the most renowned pagoda in Maubin. It is said that it was 73 cubits in height and that it was built in 1890 with the deposition of bodily relics of an Arahat and small Buddha images yielded from a dilapidated ancient stupa. Although we were at first to visit that pagoda, my eldest sister suggested that we should visit the Uyin-wa Pawdawmu Pagoda, which was better known as Phar Phaya, a half-an-hour drive from Maubin. So we changed our plan and agreed to her suggestion.On the way to the Phar Phaya, we saw Maubin University ensconced in a large compound sheltered by leafy big trees outside the town. There were wide stubble fields and villages on the sides of the road. We were charmed by the countrified scene. As it was a well-paved tarred one, we reached the arched gateway of the Phar Phaya within half an hour. It was situated in a vast precinct at the confluence of the Toe River, the Pyapon River and the Uyin Creek in Kyaiklat Township. Pagodas and many religious buildings such as monasteries, an ordination hall, shrine rooms, rest houses and pavilions surmounted by a tiered roof were scattered all over the precincts. It is said that a six-inch-high seated Buddha image was discovered about 50 years ago from the place where the Phaya is today situated, that it was a very powerful, wish-fulfilled Buddha image, that it was housed by Baungdaw Gyoke Sayadaw U Nanda in a shrine room to receive public veneration, that in subsequent years, it attracted many pilgrims from the neighbouring areas, that Sayadaw, therefore, constructed the building with a frog-shaped roof and other religious buildings in the precinct and that it was later called the Phar Phaya (Frog-like Stupa) after the building roofed with a big frog statue. When we got off the bus, we saw many pilgrims from different walks of life inside the precinct. Some were paying homage to the Buddha images in the shrine halls and the pagoda. Some were having themselves photographed and selfied. Some were sitting on benches under the shady trees by the banks of the rivers, breathing in fresh air. We espied some boats and sampans fully loaded with local products moving slowly along the rivers. We offered flowers, paid homage to the Buddha images and took documentary photographs. We had a relaxing moment due to the peace and happiness offered by the pagoda precinct and the nearby riverine scene.At about 3 pm, we started our return so that we could arrive back home before dark. Half on the way back, all the people on the bus, oppressed by tiredness and the heat of the scorching sun, dozed off. All of a sudden, our sleepy eyes were wide open due to a magnified sound emanating from the front part of the bus. Alas! The ones sitting beside the driver whom we addressed intimately as Saya Thet, Saya Tun, Saya Kyaw, Saya Saw and Dr Win were singing Karaoke. The songs sung by them were those of Sai Htee Seng, Hlwan Moe, Khin Maung Toe, Soe Lwin Lwin and Min Aung who were in vogue during their younger days. While singing, they jeered at one another, comparing the theme of the songs with the memories of their past unsuccessful romantic affairs. Saya Thet and Saya Tun who had more memories of romantic affairs were the objects of ridicule. All in the bus became animated with the jokes cracked by them. Thus time passed unnoticed. At 5:30 pm, we stopped briefly at the Mann Myo Taw tea shop and had tea, coffee and dumplings. We arrived back home safe and sound at about 7 pm.In conclusion, although we were tired from the trip, we were compensated by the beautiful scenery on the way. So we felt relaxed and refreshed. Moreover, the trip also gave us some knowledge of the socioeconomy, education, religion and environment of Maubin Township. So it is thought that this trip was beneficial and rewarding for us.
Inya Lake is located adjacent to Yangon University in Kamayut township, six miles (10 kilometres) north of downtown Yangon. It acquired a reputation for its vast stretch of water studded with pleasant, wooded islets. Due to its breathtaking beauty and serenity, it turns out to be not only a haunt of holiday-makers but also a tryst for lovers.This lake is named “အင်းယား’’ after its elongated shape. It was called “Victoria Lake” after Queen Victoria when Myanmar fell under British rule. It was, at that time, also known by the name of “Kokkhine Lake”’, for it lay close to Kokkhine Village. In ancient times, the Mons who lived near the lake called it ‘Kamayut’ meaning ‘Lake of Jewels’ because it served as an inexhaustible food resource for the Mon villages in its neighbourhood.The history of Inya Lake dates back to before the Christian era. In those ancient days, Lower Myanmar was covered by shallow water with small laterite islets scattered above water, some of which were small fishing villages. By the second century BC, a severe earth-quake hit Lower Myanmar and the water covering it receded, leaving behind some geomorphological features such as the Hlaing River, Yangon River, Ngamoeyeik Creek and other rivulets, creeks and lakes on newly-formed alluvial plains. Inya Lake is said to be one of the remaining lakes from that time. It is said that, at that time, this lake was an elongated depression 50 feet below the sea level, surrounded by low laterite ridges. It was then a natural lake connected with the Hlaing River by a creek. So it was affected by the tide. However, the British built Pyay Road by damming this lake with embankments. Since then, it turned into a land-locked lake with a bund of 0.5 mile on the western side and a bund of 1.2 miles on the eastern side. In 1878, Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) could no longer supply adequate water to Pazundaung and other downtown areas of Yangon. So the British government turned Inya Lake into a reservoir to supply enough water to the bigger Yangon. (Later, as the population of Yangon grew, Hlawga Lake and Gyobyu Lake had to be used to supply more water.)In the early colonial period, Inya Lake lay near Kamaryut village which was well outside Yangon City. Yangon University was built only in 1920. In those days, for its remoteness from the downtown area, the thickly wooded Inya Lake was rumoured to be a haunt of tigers and man-eating water ogres or a den of dacoits. Therefore, some chicken-hearted students avoided visiting it even during the daytime. A few brave students, however, used to go there for a swim on some evenings. It is known that a student from Yangon University drowned to death in this lake in 1926. So, from then on, the university students were forbidden from swimming in it.In 1923, the Yangon University Boat Club was formed and its office was situated on a piece of land jutting out into the lake on the southern bund of Inya Lake. It was chaired by a British advocate Mr Edgar, who later became a law professor, at Yangon University. He was an executive member of the Cambridge and Oxford University Boat Clubs while living in England. From the time of the founding of this club, boat races were held in the lake every year. The days of the boat races were happy occasions for Yangon University students. Thus, Inya Lake was more frequently visited by them.During the colonial period, some wooded islets in this lake were a haven for some British pensioners and wealthy Chinese men who wanted to live peacefully in their old age. It is said that in 1930, Maurice Collice, a world-famous Irish writer, paid a short visit to the house of a retired Irish military officer who lived on a small island, from which the Shwedagon pagoda some distance to the south was visible and that, during his stay there, he visited GH Luce living near the southern bund of the lake, who was then serving as History Professor of Yangon University.During the post-independence period, Yangon was extended in the northerly direction. Inya Lake was, therefore, encircled by populated areas. Some prominent historical buildings are found scattered around the shores of the lake. The Convocation Hall, the earliest building of Yangon University, was constructed in 1922, Inya Hostel the earliest lady hostel of the university built in 1931, Yadana Hostel was built in 1954 and the Yangon University of Economics was built in 1958 founded on the Inya road skirting round Yangon University near the southern bank of the lake. Besides, the Inya Veluwun monastery and the Inya Kanpya monastery built around 1900 are still standing on the southern bank of the lake. Inya Lake Hotel, once the most famous hotels in Yangon built in 1958, is located near the northern bund of the lake.During the time of the State Peace and Development Council, Sedona Hotel and Mya Kyun Thar (pleasant emerald-green island) Recreational Park were constructed on the eastern bund. During the time of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the International Business Centre was built on the western bund and the Marina Hotel on the eastern bund. During the time of the Union Government, Lotte Hotels on the western bund and Myanmar Plaza near the eastern bund were constructed. Moreover, Kanthar Yar Private Hospital was also built next to the International Business Centre.Today, the ‘Seinn Lann So Pyay’ Garden stands on the southern bund. Inya Park, ‘’Min Lan’’ Rakhine Traditional Rice Vermicelli stall, and other food stalls, restaurants, Centre for Research and Innovation, Zu Zu’s Eain Coral Inya Bar, Gold Inya Cafe and restaurant, Khemarathta Shan Traditional Food Centre, etc are situated along the southern bund.To conclude, there are supermarkets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, parks etc. around the Inya Lake. It has a large expanse of water, with a lot of trees growing thickly around it. It can regulate the weather patterns of its neighbouring areas. Thus, it has become a haunt of thousands of visitors in Yangon. Especially on the holidays, it is packed with holiday-makers and picnickers on the eastern bund and western bund. It is thus suggested by the author that Inya Lake should be kept in pristine purity.
When I got off at Sule Pagoda Bus-stand across the Yangon City Hall, it was 11 a.m. Some sellers grouped round me at once and asked me if I would buy snacks and a bottle of drinking water. The top of the glittering Sule pagoda towering above the tiered-roofs of pavilions in the glow of the scorching sun compelled me to get quicker into its precincts. Shouldering my way through them, I ,therefore, walked hurriedly to the Sule pagoda through the zebra crossings and entered the precincts from the northern entrance, having bought a bouquet of the fragrant flowers from a nearby stall. Upon the entry into the precincts of the Sule Pagoda through the northern entrance, I on the left side saw the statue of Ven. Upagutta who was a powerful Arahat who defeated the Mara( Evil One). An old well that is said to be the oldest one in Yangon and a Bodhi tree were also seen near it. With the Buddha’s Foot Print( Pada Ceti) by the side of the Bodhi Tree, I walked up to the northern Shrine-hall in which the image of Gotama Buddha is housed and offered the flowers I had bought to the Buddha image. Then, I walked clockwise round the precincts.Passing by the Abhidhamma Hall in which discourses(Suttas) are preached, I saw the shrine of Sule Bo Bo Gyi( Guardian Deity).He stood raising his right hand with the forefinger pointing towards the direction of Shwedagon Pagoda hill. Some pilgrims were worshipping him with the joss-sticks and offertories made of coconuts and bunches of bananas. It is believed by the worshippers that Sule Bo Bo Gyi could fulfil their wishes. Since it was a super Sunday, the pagoda platform was congested with many pilgrims. Many people were doing various religious services on the pagoda platform. Some were worshipping the Buddha images, some pouring water over the Buddha images, some saying prayers and some offering the flowers and some telling the rosary beads.I walked round the precincts and noticed the images of the four Buddhas already enlightened in this world were housed in the shrine-halls on the four sides of the pagoda platform - that of the Gotama Buddha in the north, that of Konagamana Buddha in the south, that of Kakusandha Buddha in the east and that of the Kassapa Buddha Image in the west respectively.I went towards the pagoda, paid homage to it three times and observed it at a close-range. It was a gilded eight-sided pagoda 151 feet in height. It was a solid type with three receding terraces, which were said to represent the Three Gems- Buddha, Dhamma and Samgha. From the terraces on the plinth to the tapering top of the banana bud, the pagoda was of the octagonal shape which represents the Noble Eight fold Path leading one to attain Nibbana. The whole pagoda, from its plinth to the sacred umbrella, was richly decorated with elaborate floral designs. So I thought it was renowned for its excellent artistic works. While looking at the pagoda, I remembered the connections of its name with the history of the Shwedagon Pagoda. thus: When the hair-relics carried from Majjhimadesa by Taphussa and Bhallika merchant brothers were presented to King Ukkala, he had all his ministers assembled (စုဝေး) at a spot to discuss on exploration of the site where the relics were to be enshrined and that, after the construction of the Shwedagon Pagoda with the deposition of the hair relics of the Buddha, a small stupa named ‘ Su-wei’ was erected at the spot where the king and his ministers assembled to commemorate this incident, that, with the passage of times, the term ‘ Su-wei’ was corrupted to ‘Sule’, that,again, in comparison with the Shwedagon pagoda which is called ‘Mahaceti’ meaning ‘Great pagoda’, the Sule pagoda is smaller in size, that , it is, therefore, called ‘ Cula-ceti’in Pali meaning ‘smaller or lesser pagoda’ and, that, in course of time, the term, ‘Cula’ was changed to ‘Sule’. I threw a sweeping glance and espied the office of Trustees’ Board a little down the pagoda platform. I walked there and inqured about the history of the Sule Pagoda. It was learnt from them that the Sule pagoda was contemporary with the Shwedgon pagoda and the Bothathaung pagoda, that it was, however, hidden deep in the forests for many years, that it was later recovered and repaired by Mon kings, that while the roads in downtown Yangon were being extended by the British Government, it was to be demolished but , due to the request made by U Chan Tun, who studied law at Cambridge University, it was left undestroyed, that it was,however, bombed by the Japanese during the Second World War, that it was renovated by the British Government and then Myanmar Government when Myanmar regained her independence and that the Buddhapujaniya festival was held annually at this pagoda with pomp and ceremony. Some hours elapsed unnoticed. When I looked at my watch, it was already 2 p.m. So I paid homage to the pagoda and went down the pagoda platform. I crossed the road and got back to the bus-stop, which was the starting point of many bus lines in Yangon. Across the bus-stop stood the Yangon city hall, which was a blend of Myanmar and Western architectural works and behind it was the Maha Bandoola park in which the Independence Pillar was jutting out starkly into the sky. I was also aware of some sky-scrapers which had appeared in the immediate environs of the Sule pagoda during the recent years. In conclusion, my casual visit to the Sule pagoda gave me peace, happiness and relaxation. At the same time, I also got some knowledge on history and archaeology. So I think the Sule pagoda is worth a visit by all people –local and foreign.
The Shitthaung Temple is one of the most renowned temples in Mrauk U. It was established in 1535 by King Min Bar Gyi, the most powerful Rakhine king of Mrauk U Period . It is so named because it housed 8,4000 images of the Buddha to be enlightened in the future. King Min Bar Gyi ascended the Mrauk U palace in 1532. Three years afterwards, the Portuguese soldiers who were based on Sundvipa island at the mouth of the Ganges river invaded Rakhine territory with a great navy. But the Rakhine army defeated them and drove them away out of their domain. In commemoration of that victory , King Min Bar Gyi built this temple. So it was also known as ‘ Yan Aung Zeya Temple’. Having sought advice from Sayadaw Vens. Aggacideya and Aggamuni, Hermit U Mra Wah ,wise Minister Vimala and his son Maha Panna Kyaw, the king had the Phoe Khaung hill one kilometer north of the palace bulldozed and levelled and the temple built on that ground by 1,000 masons within one year. The Shitthaung Temple is the archaeological treasure house which ranks top in Mrauk U. Its roof is surmounted with a large bell-shaped stupa surrounded by 26 satellite stupas. The outer wall is interspersed with twenty-eight niches in which are life-size images of the seated Buddha placed back to back. All life-size reliefs at this temple represent King Min Bar Gyi as the earthly counterpart of Sakka, King of gods who resides in Tavatimsa on the Summit of Mount Meru. The six tiers of bas reliefs at this temple may correspond to the six planes of existence. The lowest level of the reliefs depicts animals of all kinds, humans, etc enjoying life in the world of desire. The central level depicts the former lives of the Gotama Buddha from the jataka tales that give the moral lessons to all visitors. The Lokapalas Devas are depicted at the fifth level. The uppermost level represents Brahmas or gods. At the four corners, the reliefs are interspersed by life-size statues which represent King Min Bar Gyi.At intervals around the plinths are figures of the earth goddness Vasundhare wringing her hair to bear witness to the Danaparami (Perfection of donation) fulfilled by the Budhisatta. Byala, a mythical creature, which is the national emblem of the Rakhine, is found inside of the Shit-thaung Temple. The Rakhines regard it as a symbol bringing good luck and auspiciousness to them. The Shit-thaung temple festival is one of the most popular festivals in Rakhine. The festival usually falls on May 23 and last five days. Rakhine traditional long- boat races, Rakhine Kyin Pwes( the Rakhine traditional wrestling contests), Rakhine traditional dances and Buddha Pujaniya ceremony are held during the festival. During the festive days, the pilgrims from far and near flock to this festival. So the whole town is alive and agog with festive mood from the sun-rise to sun-set. During the Buddhapujaniya ceremony, beautiful Rakhine damsels perform the Rakhine traditional dance in praise of the attributes of Triple Gem. These dances show great devotion of the Rakhines to Buddhism from the ancient times. In the long-boat race, 10 boats have to participate, each group comprising 15 strong, muscular long-boat rowers. Many spectators on both banks of the creek applaud the contesting rowers. This race show the unity and outstanding rowing skill of the Rakhines. In Kyin pwes, the Kyin wrestlers who come from Tawphyanchaung area in Ponnagyun Township and Yanbye Township are famous and mostly win many trophies. This race shows quickness, mindfulness, stamina and art of the wrestling . Rakhine nationals take much pride in this sport as a national identity and they desire to preserve Kyin wrestling as an ancient Rakhine sport . To conclude, the Shitthaung Temple is the show-case of the Buddhist art and architecture. So it reflects the high architectural standard of ancient Rakhines and their profound devotion to Buddhism. Like this temple, other pagodas and temples in Mrauk U are embellished with excellent works of art and architecture. So it is thought by the writer that all the temples and pagodas in Mrauk U including the Shitthaung Temple should be kept in situ.
When the plane we boarded was zooming down into the Sittway airport, a wide expanse of blue water fringed with greenery coconut-groves was swirling into my view. As soon as it landed at the air-port, our team consisting of my parents, my elder sister and myself went direct to a hotel near the Myoma market where we were to put up. We spent two days in Sittway visiting famous pagodas, Buddha images and some relatives. It is said that Sittway, the capital of Rakhine State, located at the mouth of the Kaladan river, was established in 1826 and that its original name was Akyab which was taken after the Akyab pagoda standing a few miles to the west of the town. After the two-day stay at Sittway, we started on the pilgrimage to the Maha Myatmuni Buddha image in Kyauktaw township. Our car left Sittway early in the morning. It ran fast along the Yangon-Sittway highway. Some hamlets, paddy-fields and low hills on the sides of the road were left behind kaleidoscopically as our car scudded along. We passed the Kyauk-tan bridge and the Amyingyun bridge and soon arrived at Ponnagyun, a small town located on the western bank of the Kaladan river, about nearly 20 miles from Sittway. Beyond it, we saw the Urittaw pagoda glittering in the glow of the rising sun at the top of a wooded hill towering above the Kaladan river. It is said that the skull of the Buddha was enshrined in it. We continued our journey along the highway. I espied the Gu wa Phaya, one of the most well -known ones in Ponnagyun township, on the road-side. Soon afterwards, we reached Yoe ta-yok village with the Be-ngar-yar mountain in the background, which jutted starkly up from the neighbouring landscape. Due to its beauty, it is metaphorically called ‘ Mt. Fuji of Rakhine’. I noticed a mass of white clouds gathering above it. I sometimes saw some birds in flight towards the nearby forested foothills of the Kan-zauk mountain. Then we stopped over at a footstall abuzz with passengers on the road side for twenty minutes. Out of hunger, we wolfed down Rakhine Monhti ( Rakhine traditional rice-vermecilli soup) and coffee there. Some minutes afterwards, our car passed the Kan zauk-mountain bridge which spanned the Yoe creek, a major tributary of the Kaladan river. At about 11 a.m, our car came to the Kacchapanadi bridge which connected the two opposite banks in Kyauktaw township. It is said that it was the earliest of the rivercrossing bridges which had been ever built in Rakhine State and that it was 1312.5 feet in length. From the bridge, we saw some Siberian-geese and wild ducks flying over the river flapping their wings and some cargo-boats inching up and down. When we got to the bank of Kyauktaw, we drove across some villages scattered about in the outlying area of the town and soon arrived at Srigut mound where the well-known Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image existed. We paid homage to the Buddha image and offered flowers, fruits and candles to it. Then we went round the shrine-hall. The Rakhine traditional chronicles say that the Maha Myatmuni Buddha image was cast out of pancaloha (five noble metals) in the presence of the Buddha who visited Dhannavati city at the mental invitation of King Candasuriya and that it had been the epicenter of Buddhism in Rakhine for many centuries. I discovered some debris of bricks and a few aligning brick-works exposed in the fields surrounding Srikut mound. It is known that they were the remnants of the Third Dhannavati city which thrived between the 6th century B.C and the 4th century A.D and that it was established by King Candasuriya and came to an end during the reign of King Taing Candra. We donated some cash to the trustees of the Buddha image, left Srigut mound at about 2 p.m and proceeded to Minbya where some of my relatives resided. To conclude, I found that it is a rewarding and exploratory trip, for we were refreshed by the beautiful sea-scape and landscape on the way and, moreover, got some knowledge on Rakhine history.
As I am a master student attending the Yangon University of Foreign Languages, I always find myself confined to the classroom on week days. But, last Monday, a cultural show was staged at the university. So, the class was dismissed earlier. When I arrived at the gate of the university, it was just 1 p.m. I decided to wend my way to Inya Lake, on whose bunds I had not set my foot for some days. The vehicles coming from the direction of Hledan was held up by the traffic light. So, I crossed University Avenue hurriedly and turned into Inya Road. I saw the Inya Hostel on the left and tall shady trees on the right. Many vehicles of different sizes, shapes and colours are streaming along the road. As I walked along the road with the brisk steps, I came to the western bund of Inya Lake after twenty minutes. I found a row of stalls along the bank selling various snacks. Opposite it, I found “Minlam” Monhti (Rakhine traditional rice vermicelli ) stall packed with the customers .To my joy , the immediate environs of the Lake was so pleasant .Ornament coconut palms were standing on either side of the concrete foot-path at the foot of the western bund. Near them were the plants with the colourful flowers. When I walked along the footpath beside the green grass. I felt that the atmosphere was laden with the sweet fragrance of the flowers. The butterflies were flitting to and fro among the flowers and the plants. Suddenly, I heard some calls of a cuckoo from afar. There were many trees near the car parking.These green trees afforded a welcome shade for the visitors. Along the bund were the roofed benches built with the sponsorship of a company. Some youths who seemed university students were sitting relaxingly on them. When I threw my look towards the vast extent of the water, I saw some ripples rising on the surface. Some birds were riding on the water. Some were wheeling about in the sky. Some were swooping down upon the fish bobbing up to the surface of water. I espied the University Boat Club established in the 1920s, which stood on the headland jutting out into the lake. When I looked eastwards across the lake, I sighted some skyscrapers against the skyline.While gazing at the wooded island on the water surface, I thought of the history of the lake. It was formerly called “Kamarwat” in Mon meaning "Lake of Jewel". The village near it was named “Kamaryut” after it. It developed gradually to a town in subsequent times. In ancient times, the lake was connected with Hlaing River by a creek. So it was affected by tide. However, when it came to 1882, the British built Pyay Road by damming this lake with embankments . Since then, it turned into a land-locked lake .It is said that before the British occupied Myanmar , it was called “Kokaing Lake” after the village near it .When Myanmar fell into the hand of the British, its name was changed into “Victoria Lake” after their queen. Only after Myanmar had restored her independence, it was called “Inya Lake” .It is learnt that there was a British military camp some distance on the south of it during the Second World War , where some Japanese war prisoners were kept .Today, there are embassies, diplomatic residences, well-known politicians' residences, monastery along the bank of the south. There are wooded islets huddling together in the south-eastern corner of the lake. While thinking of the history of Inya Lake and its well-known places, I got down the bund and took a bus to Kabar Aye, where my house was Located. In conclusion, Inya Lake is a large body. So it can help regulate the climate. Besides, greening and beauty of its environment can make the visitors fresh, happy and free from the anxieties. So it can serve them as a good place of recreation and relaxation. Therefore, I think that it is necessary to conserve this lake in pristine purity. Anyho, my visit to Inya Lake that day was indeed an exhilarating one for me.
