During my visit to Myanmar in 2015 after the famous Bagan, we journeyed by train to Kalaw. A beautifully cool hill station town, with it’s own cool caves at Shwe Oo Min Paya.
The cave system here is full of many golden Buddha’s, mostly donated by visiting pilgrims from all over the world, and there are some 8,700 of them festooning the cave interiors according to Lonely Planet’s 2011 Guide to Myanmar, (The oldest date back about 275 years.)
It’s an extensive complex, with small meditation caves still used by monks, and there are stalactites with water dripping away which add to the atmosphere. A splendid 40′ sitting Buddha was found in another cave pavilion reached by a covered walkway. A real highlight of any visit to Burma.
In early 2015 I pent three weeks in Myanmar. One of my favourite places was the ancient city of Bagan.
Here you can see the Lawkananda Pagoda and it’s beautiful outbuildings. The Lawkananda Paya is a beautiful golden pagoda on top of a small hill on the banks of the Irrawaddy river. Its name translates to “Joy of the world” in ancient Pali language.
The pagoda, also known as the Loka Nanda pagoda was built in 1059 by King Anawrahta, founder of the Bagan empire. It enshrines a replica of a tooth relic of the Gautama Buddha, that the King obtained from Sri Lanka.
The pagoda, located a few kilometers South of old Bagan marked the Southern boundary of Bagan’s capital. The cylindrical pagoda somewhat resembles the much older Bupaya pagoda, located further North in old Bagan, which is more bell shaped. From the Loka Nanda’s platform visitors have good views of the Irrawaddy river and the mountain range in the background.
At night the pagoda is lit up. Although an attractive place with the river breeze and serene atmosphere, the Lawkananda is a little visited Paya, mainly used by Burmese people as a place of worship. In the middle of the rainy season late July, Early August depending on the lunar calender the Lawkananda pagoda festival is held to celebrate the rain in the very dry Bagan region
n 2015 I spent three weeks in Myanmar, one of the best journeys I have ever done.
One of the things that became apparent was how easy it is photographing people. I found the Myanmarians a very welcoming people and their faces caught my eye again and again. Connecting with local people is probably one of the greatest joys I derive from travelling.
I love the learning and sharing that stem from unexpected conversations, or, when language barriers prevent words, to communicating with mime and smiles and gestures. Much to the amusement of many and the in credulousness of my partner My journey took me through three distinct areas, Yangon, Bagan and Inle, although I would say that Inle has two areas Inle, and Inle North.
I found the faces did differ, and besides helping me expand my personal photography in “people and street photography” I feel is a journalistic look at the faces of Myanmar. Some of the images are of working people, some of people going about their daily lives, all I think you will find will give the viewer a unique look into people’s lives.
A series in Annette’s Shorts” on the Temples of Bagan
In Early 2015 I spent three weeks in Myanmar. No part did I fall more in love with than Bagan, and archaeological, modern day historical site. True many of the local people were relocated a mile away, but they still all benefit from the visitors that come here to see what I believe is arguably the largest collection of Temples and Pagodas in South East Asia . Info:The Seinnyet Nyima is a phato or pagoda built in the 12th century by Queen Seinnyet’s sister. This pagoda is believed to be older than the Seinnyet Ama temple. The pagoda is solid with a square floor plan. cSeinnyet Nyima and Seinnyet Ama Paya meaning “The Seinnyet Sisters Pagoda”. Nyima meaning younger sister and Ama meaning elder sister. They are two pagodas standing side by side, donated by two sisters of the Bagan monarch. Also know as the “two sisters” temples, they were constructed by two Seinnyet Queen sisters during the 11th century.
In Early 2015 I spent three weeks in Myanmar. No part did I fall more in love with than Bagan, and archaeological, modern day historical site.
True many of the local people were relocated a mile away, but they still all benefit from the visitors that come here to see what I believe is arguably the largest collection of Temples and Pagodas in South East Asia .
Info:Apeyadana Temple is best known for its frescoes inside that depict the Brahmanism gods and divinities of the Mahayana pantheon. Unfortunately, it’s quite dark inside and very hard to photograph in there. There is space inside that was meant for a number of statues, but most of those that survived have been moved to the Bagan Archaeological Museum a few miles up the road.
No part did I fall more in love with than Bagan, and archaeological, modern day historical site.
True many of the local people were relocated a mile away, but they still all benefit from the visitors that come here to see what I believe is arguably the largest collection of Temples and Pagodas in South East Asia .
We will start with Ywa Haung Gyi, there isn’t a lot of information about this Temple, apart from the wonderful arches and many people come here to watch the sunset!.
My pictures were actually taken in the morning, given the temple itself this beautiful deep, rich, red glow.
When an opportunity to see a major cultural event came my way in Bagan, Myanmar, I jumped at the chance. I was at the right place at the right time, to witness an important rite of passage, the Buddhist Novitiation Ceremony in Myanmar. The Shinbyu, or Novitiation ceremony, is a coming of age ceremony as in other religions, for boys under 20 years old.
The Novitiate ceremony is when boys do their service to Buddhism and are entered into the order of the monks for a week or longer. This incredible event turned out to be one the highlights of my entire trip to this incredible country.
The Novitiate Programme for the day
1)Blessings in the homes The festivities of the day started with visiting some of the young boys’ family homes. We paid respect and offered blessings and donations to the father and mother of the household. Novitiation is the obligation of every parent and the most important gift to their sons. It is believed that this deed will prevent the parents from having an evil afterlife in Buddhist tradition. The boys started getting dressed for the occasion. Earlier in the day their heads are shaven. Then elaborate green, yellow, blue and pink satin costumes with colourful make up of the same colours filled the village. These intricate costumes are symbolic of the look of a royal prince.
2) The Procession Early on in the day, a procession of the over 20year old monks begins, a ceremony that enters these boys into full monkhood. It starts with a short alms offering of money to the men. These men have now become fully ordained monks, to fulfil more years in the monastery if they so desire. Next, the procession started toward the monastery. It was a spirited, happy spectacle. As far across the fields as we could see, colourful families paraded to the village joining the long colourful train. The decorated Pandal or bamboo chairs, were hoisted over the shoulders of the men of the family while the boys were ceremoniously carried above their heads, shaded with gold umbrellas. In larger cities, and depending on stature, boys may be riding horses, oxes or elephants. Here the Pandal was painted to resemble a horse. To pay respect to the Buddha, the parade circles clockwise around the monastery. Following the boys are the fathers, mothers and sisters are given the duties of carrying the Alms bowl, the monk robes and ceremonial lotus flowers. We saw a beautiful array of the traditional tribes and the finest colourful formal wear, particularly from the Danu and the Pa-O tribe communities. An enthusiastic group of musicians on chimes, drums and bamboo sticks followed the procession as many joined in with dancing and singing. Wow! What a spectacular event!
3) The Feast No celebration is complete without a satisfying feast. Hundreds of low round tables set on fine bamboo mats and rugs set the stage for the welcoming traditional feast of soup, curried salted fish, vegetables, rice, fermented green mango and bean sprouts.
4) The Monastery Ceremony Once the procession was over, the families were brought into the monastery. Boys were stripped down of their colourful costumes and left in their white undergarments. After the senior monks perform alms and prayers, they are transformed, by receiving their maroon robes. The residing monks help them into the robes showing them how they are to be worn. It was one of the most amazing spectacles I have ever seen and I feel extremely honoured not only to have seen it but to have photographed such an auspicious event.
In early 2015 I visited Myanmar. During my three weeks I travelled from Yangon to Bagan, to Kalaw in the mountains and then down to Inle Lake. This is the first slide show showing you Yangon and some of the wonderful colonial and modern buildings along with some of the religious buildings too. Yangon stands on the east bank of the oceanic River Yangon, about 30km from the Andaman Sea. It came to prominence in the latter half of the 19th century when the British made it the capital of their new imperial possession. The colonial port area is still the commercial centre, though the heart of the city remains the gigantic gold Shwedagon Pagoda, visible from most places and so the main focal point.
Inle Lake in Myanmar isn’t in fact one big lake, it has a main bit and a smaller Inle Lake North. Here You will find the famous floating Pagodas of Sankar, which sadly due to the droughts that Myanmar receive are now not floating. Or least they weren’t when I visited in 2015.
When an opportunity to see a major cultural event came my way in Bagan, Myanmar, I jumped at the chance. I was at the right place at the right time, to witness an important rite of passage, the Buddhist Novitiation Ceremony in Myanmar.
The Shinbyu, or Novitiation ceremony, is a coming of age ceremony as in other religions, for boys under 20 years old. The Novitiate ceremony is when boys do their service to Buddhism and are entered into the order of the monks for a week or longer.
This incredible event turned out to be one the highlights of my entire trip to this incredible country. The Novitiate Programme for the day
1)Blessings in the homes The festivities of the day started with visiting some of the young boys’ family homes. We paid respect and offered blessings and donations to the father and mother of the household. Novitiation is the obligation of every parent and the most important gift to their sons. It is believed that this deed will prevent the parents from having an evil afterlife in Buddhist tradition. The boys started getting dressed for the occasion. Earlier in the day their heads are shaven. Then elaborate green, yellow, blue and pink satin costumes with colourful make up of the same colors filled the village. These intricate costumes are symbolic of the look of a royal prince.
2) The Procession Early on in the day, a procession of the over 20year old monks begins, a ceremony that enters these boys into full monkhood. It starts with a short alms offering of money to the men. These men have now become fully ordained monks, to fulfill more years in the monastery if they so desire. Next, the procession started toward the monastery. It was a spirited, happy spectacle. As far across the fields as we could see, colourful families paraded to the village joining the long colourful train. The decorated Pandal or bamboo chairs, were hoisted over the shoulders of the men of the family while the boys were ceremoniously carried above their heads, shaded with gold umbrellas. In larger cities, and depending on stature, boys may be riding horses, oxes or elephants. Here the Pandal was painted to resemble a horse. To pay respect to the Buddha, the parade circles clockwise around the monastery. Following the boys are the fathers, mothers and sisters are given the duties of carrying the Alms bowl, the monk robes and ceremonial lotus flowers. We saw a beautiful array of the traditional tribes and the finest colourful formal wear, particularly from the Danu and the Pa-O tribe communities. An enthusiastic group of musicians on chimes, drums and bamboo sticks followed the procession as many joined in with dancing and singing. Wow! What a spectacular event!
3) The Feast No celebration is complete without a satisfying feast. Hundreds of low round tables set on fine bamboo mats and rugs set the stage for the welcoming traditional feast of soup, curried salted fish, vegetables, rice, fermented green mango and bean sprouts. 4) The Monastery Ceremony Once the procession was over, the families were brought into the monastery. Boys were stripped down of their colourful costumes and left in their white undergarments. After the senior monks perform alms and prayers, they are transformed, by receiving their maroon robes. The residing monks help them into the robes showing them how they are to be worn.
It was one of the most amazing spectacles I have ever seen and I feel extremely honoured not only to have seen it but to have photographed such an auspicious event.
In early 2015 I visited Myanmar. During my three weeks I travelled from Yangon to Bagan, to Kalaw in the mountains and then down to Inle Lake.
This is the first slide show showing you Yangon and some of the wonderful colonial and modern buildings along with some of the religious buildings too.
Yangon stands on the east bank of the oceanic River Yangon, about 30km from the Andaman Sea. It came to prominence in the latter half of the 19th century when the British made it the capital of their new imperial possession. The colonial port area is still the commercial centre, though the heart of the city remains the gigantic gold Shwedagon Pagoda, visible from most places and so the main focal point.
Journeys From A Small Room 