MONYWA
Monywa lies about 136 km to the west of Mandalay. It is the hub
of trade and commerce in the Chindwin Valley. Highlights for tourists
includes Bodhi Tahtaung Pagoda; Thanboddhay Pagoda with over 500,000
Buddha images; the Colossus of Reclining Buddha, Kyauka village
for its lacquerware and Kyaukka Shweguni Pagoda. Crossing the Chindwin
river and taking one hour drive, giant mural stone carvings of ShweBa
Hill and the famous Caves of Po Win Taung are worth visiting.
Where
to Visit
- (In Monywa)
 Thanboddhay
Pagoda
If
you are travelling to Monywa by car you should stop about 20 kilometres
before you reach the town to visit this most un usual Buddhist temple
complex on 37 acres of land which is part of the Mohnyin Forest
Monastery retreat. The Pagoda was started on 20th June 1939 and
completed on 2nd March 1952. It was the brainchild of the famous
Mohnyin Sayadaw whose life-like effigy can be see nearby. Some visitors
say that this Pagoda reminds them of Borobodur, as it is similar
in architectural design. Unlike Borobodur this is a modern place
of worship, well maintained, and with interesting samples of modern
Buddha art. There are many different Buddha images, row upon row
in ascending tiers in niches along the walls: the total number is
582,257, an amazing figure! Unlike most of the Pagoda in Myanmar,
the entrance is not guarded by Chinthes, the mythical lions, but
by statues of a pair of magnificent white elephants, which are sacred
and auspicious in Buddhist symbolism. Thanboddhay is the only Pagoda
with this unique shape in the whole country. The square temple base
(each side about 166 feet) which worshippers can enter is topped
by receding terraces, with a myriad of small stupas (864 in Number)
surrounding the central golden cedi, 132 feet in height.
Tourists can study and take photos to the twenty tagundaing, huge
fruits in the shape of bunches of bananas and coconuts, water melon,
mangoes, jackfruits, papaya and so on. These fruits are also objects
of veneration for the local farmers. If you can go at the beginning
of the Myanmar month of Tazaungmone (usually around November), you
can see the annual Pagoda festival, which goes on for several days
when the village from all around come to enjoy the music and dancing,
and buy from the various stalls set up by sellers from all over
the country.
 Bodhi
Tahtaung and Po Khaung Taung
From Thanboddhay Pagoda you can go by car about five miles along
a good branch road to Po Khaung Taung, a small range of hills in
the Monywa area. There you will see more unusual sights not found
in other parts of Myanmar. First you should stop for a while in
the fast growing forest of one thousand Bodhi-trees (Ficus religiosa);
this Bo or pipal tree is sacred to all Buddhists because Gaudama
Buddha attained Enlightenment while meditating under this tree.
A much-venerated Sayadaw now popularly known as the Bodhi Tahtaung
Sayadaw, who can make your wishes come true, first started planting
this forest grove about two decades ago. Each tree has a large Buddha
image underneath, and many Buddhist pilgrims come to pay obeisance
there. It is a pleasant, peaceful place, filled with the song of
birds, in a protected environment where nature and men are in perfect
harmony. Just beyond Bodhi Tahtaung, a short stroll towards the
east will bring you to the Po Khaung Taung, a range of hill where
you can see one of the largest reclining Buddha image in the world.
Measuring 300 ft length it is even bigger than the colossal Shwethalyaung
reclining Buddha image in Bago (Pegu) which has a length of 180
ft. only. The head is 60 ft in height. It was only built in 1991
and up to now there is still no roof or shelter to protect it from
the elements. This huge image has a hollow cave-like structure inside
and you can walk from the head to the feet. You will then see inside
9,000 one-foot high metal images of the Buddha and his disciples
in various postures. There are also representations of some of the
important events in the life of the Buddha. If you are interested
in Buddha footprints you can study the 108 auspicious symbols, which
are depicted on the soles of the feet of this huge image.
Po
Win Taung
Po Win Taung Caves, with over 400,000 ancient Buddha images and
statues and murals dating from the 14th to the 16th century. Tame
monkeys abound and can be fed by visitors.
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