Cultural Heritage Tour of Bagan

By Lokethar

 

IT SEEMS that hotels in Myanmar will soon be allowed to accept local travellers after inspection by the authorities as to their compliance with the Ministry of Health’s stipulations to guard against the spread of the Corona virus. Perhaps it is an impetus for local people to engage in travelling to “discover” more about their history and culture, and to put up at the various hotels during halts in the course of their travels and tours.

 

Many Myanmar Buddhists go on pilgrimage to Bagan to worship at the temples and pagodas. The writer would like to suggest that Myanmar people should endeavour to visit Bagan, the ancient cultural heritage of Myanmar, to know more about Myanmar’s culture and history as well. Perhaps the educated young generation would be more eager to make a journey into the past of their culture and heritage.

 

According to the scholars and the archaeologists, Bagan was a land of 19 Pyu villages situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyawady River some fifty miles downstream from where the Chindwin River joins the Ayeyawady. Bagan was ruled by “King” Thamudarit (AD 107-152). In fact, according to a recent article by one Myanmar scholar carried in the Myanmar newspaper, Thamudarit was “appointed” by the people of the 19 villages to “rule” over them. He was consequently, the “founder” of Bagan. Starting with him, a total of 55 Kings reigned over Bagan of who, the 42nd was Anawrahta (!044- 1077) the founder of the Myanmar Kingdom.

 

The city itself was destroyed, according to the historians, by Kublai Khan’s Mongol forces from Nanchao ( now Yunan) in the reign of Myanmar King Narathihapate (1255-87). However, the Land of Bagan and it’s multitude of temples and pagodas have continued to exist. Over the centuries, the forces of nature took their toll but Bagan has not lost it’s greatness. Many of the original 4000 or so temples and pagodas of Theravada Buddhist religion still stand, though some of the very ancient ones are in stages of time-worn ruin. Much has been written about Bagan by many writers from many countries. And now the UNESCO has seen it fit to recognise Bagan as a “World Cultural Heritage Site” of Myanmar.

 

It would be well if some Tourism Agency could organize, “Cultural Heritage Seminar cum Package Tour” of a couple of days duration each, and visit Bagan to learn about it’s glorious history. The tour has of course to be organised with the consent of the authorities concerned and in line with the guidance of the Ministry of Health about safeguarding against the COVID-19 pandemic. The seminar could be held in one of many hotels in Bagan with the participants staying in the same and/or some of the other hotels. It could include presentations on the updated history of Bagan by historians and archaeologists and include visits by the participants to the temples and pagodas highlighted in their presentations. There were many “happenings” in ancient Bagan according to the “chronicles” and “inscriptions”. Visits to such places would be of interest to the participants.

 

There are many places of great historical interest in Bagan as well; like the stone inscription erected by Razkumar, the son of King Kyansittha (1084-1113). The inscriptions on the stone slabs are in four languages viz; Pali, Pyu, Mon and Myanmar and express the deep love and respect of the Prince Razkumar for his father King Kyansittha and at the same time bears witness to the multi-cultural legacy of Bagan.

 

There are many religious places of significance as well like the Bu Phaya that was purportedly erected by King Pyusawhti,(AD 167-242) as well as the Baw Baw Gyi Temple and other temples of the early Pyu Kings. The “Umin Temples” probably are the counterparts of the “Cave Temples” which are found in the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. They are found in Nyaung-Oo area of “Bagan” and are probably among the “monuments” built by the earlier “Bagan” Kings.

 

Most famous of the Myanmar Kings’ Pagodas are the Shwezigon, the Thabbinyu , the Lawkananda built by Anawrahta, the Kyansittha Umin a cave temple and the Ananda Temple built by Kyansittha , the latter in the likeness of the temple in India; the Htilominlo built by King Nadaungmya, and many more Temples and Pagodas built by the Kings, all with their interesting histories ( Phaya Thamaings).

 

Of course the participants of the Seminar, on visiting the Pagodas and Temples would pay homage to the Buddha Images enshrined. They could also take in the scenery of the sun setting red in the western horizon from one of the vantage points. At the same time it would be an exhilarating experience for those who would like to ride in a “Balloon” that would take them high above the Bagan sky for a breadth taking view of Bagan and it’s vicinity.

 

And when they come down to earth after the “balloon ride” they could visit the Museum and see for themselves the artifacts unearthed from the vicinity or recovered from the ancient crumbling stupas. The visit to the museum would give a more in-depth knowledge of Bagan’s past. A visit to the lacquer ware centre would enable the participants to learn more about the evolution of the art of lacquer ware in Myanmar and for a look at lacquer wares of distinctive Myanmar design.

 

At the end of the tour, the organizers could perhaps award a “certificate of honour” attesting to the fact that the holder visited “Bagan,” the heart of Myanmar’s culture and history.

 

With charity to all and malice to none.