Myanmar 13 Bagan Taung Bi village

1
Mingalaba
13
Myanmar!
2
No matter which method of transport you take to
get to Bagan, but for exploring the site you will
probably need to take a taxi or a horse cart
3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
Bagan (formerly Pagan) was one of the glories of
Asia, described by Marco Polo as "one of the
finest sights in the world", created in a
230-year-long bout of fervor for Thervada
Buddhism, but it fell into steep decline at the
end of the thirteenth century around the time of
the arrival of the Mongols, and little happened
for hundreds of years after
9
More than 2,000 religious buildings, temples,
pagodas, stupas, monasteries and halls, have
survived the centuries and earthquakes, scattered
over 40 sq km of plain by the Ayeyarwadi
(Irrawaddy) river, and they form what has been
justly described as one of the architectural
wonders of the world. They range from Ananda and
Thatbyinnyu, vast tower-temples yet intricate and
beautiful, to the massive "evil temple"
Dhammayangyi, to an endless array of distinctive,
decaying stupas of all sizes.
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
The central plains the arid lands between the
Ayeyarwady River in the west and the Shan hills
to the east have seen many kingdoms rise and
fall, including that of the Pyu who were the
earliest inhabitants of Myanmar for whom records
exist. Certainly few places in the world can
offer a spectacle as breathtaking as Bagans vast
stupa and temple-strewn plain. In the eleventh
century, King Anawrahta of Bagan became the first
to unite the lands that now form Myanmar, and
today the legacy of his embrace of Theravada
Buddhism exerts a stronger influence on tourist
imaginations than anywhere else in the country
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
The thousands of temples that are spread across
the plains of Bagan are the most impressive
testament to the religious devotion of Myanmars
people and rulers over the centuries. They
combine to form one of the richest archaeological
sites in Asia and provide views quite unlike
anywhere else on earth. The temples and stupas
along the way already gave a good impression of
the great variety Bagan features. Small ones,
bigger ones, some with intricate designs on the
inside, others more a ruin than a temple and all
so close to each other, connected by little paths
cutting the plain
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
We have explored on a very comfortable little
air-conditioned car but now we try a horse-drawn
cart for exploring Taung Bi village (near the
Tharabar Gate)
Taung Bi village
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
Myanmar was one of the richest countries in Asia
when it achieved independence from Britain in
1948 but, after decades of poor governance, it is
now one of the poorest countries on the planet.
Fresh water and electricity are luxury items for
many in Myanmar
28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)
30
(No Transcript)
31
(No Transcript)
32
(No Transcript)
33
(No Transcript)
34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
(No Transcript)
37
(No Transcript)
38
(No Transcript)
39
(No Transcript)
40
(No Transcript)
41
The poor state of and limited access to
infrastructure are major impediments to providing
basic health and education services, and for
economic development. Almost half the roads are
not passable during the monsoon season.
42
(No Transcript)
43
Telecommunications and internet access is also
very limited. About 75 percent of the population
lacks access to electricity, and the consumption
of electricity is one of the lowest in the world
20 times less than the world average. Existing
power infrastructure can only meet about half of
the current demand, resulting in frequent
blackouts and rationing of the electricity
supply. Access to drinking water is also quite
limited in many areas.
44
The Buddhist monastic school system in Burma
assist in providing basic education needs of the
country especially for children from needy
families and orphans filling the significant
gap in the education system. The primary school
children of Burma attend the Buddhist monasteries
to acquire literacy and numeracy skills as well
as knowledge of the Lord Buddhas teachings.
Thus, the schools provide curriculum education
and ethics and moral foundation. Their role as
principal education providers may have ceased for
many years, but their contribution is still
significant in 21st century Burma. Supplementing
the government elementary schools, they provide
underprivileged children all the basic education
needs exactly as it does in government elementary
schools by using the same curriculum.
45
(No Transcript)
46
(No Transcript)
47
(No Transcript)
48
(No Transcript)
49
These reddish clay pots can be easily found when
walking along the streets in Myanmar. They are
water jars free to everyone who is thirsty as
they travel in the scorching heat. The owners of
the house where the jars are located make sure
the jars are clean and filled with water for any
passers-by. It is free grift for anyone to
relieve their thirst. Burmese people feel happy
to prepare the offering
50
Build on one of old Bagans Ayeyarwaddy prime
riverside locations, The Aye Yar Riverview Resort
started operated as a guesthouse of the Burma
Airways Corporation in 1958. The Hotel is now
under going a make over to turn it into a resort
of international appeal
51
(No Transcript)
52
(No Transcript)
53
(No Transcript)
54
(No Transcript)
55
Text Internet Pictures and presentation
Sanda Foisoreanu All  copyrights  belong to
their  respective owners
2013
Sound Saung Zaw Win Maung - Not to
intend to hate for ever