THE Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Manda­lay Branch) continues the pres­ervation of Golden Palace Mon­astery in its original artworks of the Yadanabon era for public observation in Mandalay, ac­cording to Daw San San Pyone, staff officer of the department. Among the work plans for this year, the department completed six repair works- recreating the signboard letters in front of the Monastery, renewing the histori­cal documents of the palace, ap­plying oil dregs underneath the pillars, conserving the pillars at the western and eastern cham­bers of Satawun Hall, replacing the damaged pillars and pruning.

 

“The king donated the Shwenandaw Kyaung, so it is one of the first-class ancient monas­teries. The department conducts conservation works every year. We explain the historical impor­tance to the local and foreign travellers. The palace survived intact during the Second World War. It offers an opportunity to study ten Myanmar traditional arts just in one place. Therefore, I would like to invite all domestic and foreign travellers, students from universities, colleges and basic education schools,” she said.

 

The 10 Jataka stories of Buddha are depicted on teak plates, which are six feet long and three feet thick, sticking on the pillars of the shrine room of the palace, and they are fenced to prevent people from touching them.

 

“The Department of Ar­chaeology and National Museum conserved the Shwenandaw in 1995. The entrance fee is K500 per head for locals and free for children under 12, while K15,000 per head for foreigners. The ad­mission is free for students,” she continued.

 

The Shwenandaw was situated in the Myanansan Shwenandaw compound and separate hall of King Mindon. After the death of King Mindon in 1878, King Thibaw, son of King Mindon, rebuilt the palace at the current site in 1883. The 150 pil­lars span 116 feet from east to west, 71 feet from south to north, and stand 60 feet tall. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/KTZH