A Bit Of History In Pyay...

Pyay, Myanmar

il 8 novembre

Early morning is quiet on the Irrawaddy; a wonderful time for me also to be quiet, observe, and reflect. My day began peacefully as I meditated with my lovely friend and extraordinary guide, Mu Mu. She has taught me a lot about Buddhism and her joy and laughter when we tour is infectious and, indeed, a gift that I treasure. It’s easy for the traveler to look at the sights, listen to the sounds, and eat the culinary treats of a culture and return home with lots of pictures and stories. The odd thing is that I usually don’t regale my friends with lots of stories and photos because, for me, a trip is personal and I carry all the memories deep inside; if truth be told, I prefer to be quiet about all of it unless specifically asked. I share my adventures, however, with this blog and hope that others will be inspired to see what I have seen, listen to what I have heard, eat some of what I have tasted, but, more importantly, feel the triumphs and tragedies of a people.                    

                                           Early morning on the Irrawaddy

Sri Kestra  (Thayekhittaya) was the largest of the cities built by the Pyu people that ruled in the area between the fifth and ninth centuries. Their civilization, once stretching north to south for hundreds of kilometers along the Irrawaddy River, had advanced irrigation techniques and played a large part in the introduction of Buddhism to Myanmar. Invaded by the Mon tribe and, later, the Burmans, it was ultimately taken over by the British in the 19th century. Left to ruin, excavations began there in 1907 and have revealed extensive remains of Theravada Buddhism and religious art showing the influence of southern India. Some of the world’s earliest Buddhist monuments are found in Sri Kestra (“Fabulous City” in the Pali language), but, built of brick, the ancient sacred structures are in a state of deterioration due to heavy rain. Erosion  has loosened bricks causing walls and arches to collapse. A museum has been built on site  and, as artifacts - beads, coins, Buddha images, and statues of Hindu deities, are discovered, they become part of a fascinating introduction into the history of this World Heritage Site.

                                                           A bit of early history...

More faces along the way...

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The hilltop Shwesandaw Pagoda, in the center of town, is one of Myanmar’s biggest pilgrimage sites and offers panoramic views of the river and the lush surroundings. It is believed to have been built in 589 BC and that four strands of hair from Gautama Buddha are found within.