Blog

The Mahamuni Buddha  (The Great Buddha Image)

The major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). It is very highly revered as wish-fill fulling Pagoda among the locals throughout the country. According to legend, the Gautama Buddha visited Dhanyawadi, the capital city of Arakan during his travels on a Proselytization mission to spread His Buddhism. The king Sandathuriya asked for the Budhha to let to copy very resemble with Him by casting statue. After casting, the Buddha gave embrace for seven times. So, this Buddha Image has been believed as living Buddha among the Buddhists in Myanmar. Devotees believe that the statues have healing qualities to rub a particular part of the body against the statues to cure themselves of various ailments and diseases.

According to the history, Thado Minsaw, who was Crown Prince and son of King Bodawpaya carried off the Mahamuni from Mrauk U (Rakkhine State) to Mandalay. In 1784, the Burmese under the military leadership of Crown Prince Thado Minsaw of Konbaung dynasty conquered the Kingdom of Mrauk U. The religious relics of the kingdom, including the Mahamuni Buddha image, were confiscated and installed in the Mahamuni temple or Pagoda at Amarapura, on the outskirts of the old capital of Mandalay. Besides the image, the Burmese military brought bronze figures which can be still found. According to the local people’s belief, by touching every part of the bronze figures can get relief from getting aches of body. To maintain these antiques, the archaeological department placed them in to the glass-made museum. They were originally Khmer statues, found at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and were taken to Ayutthaya in 1431 by the Siamese. In 1564, the Burmese king Bayinnaung conquered Ayutthaya and took thirty such statues to Bago (Pegu). In 1599, King Razagri of Mrauk U invaded Bago and brought the statues to Mrauk U. Finally, Thado Minsaw took them to Amarapura in 1785. According to local belief, many more of these statues were brought from Arakan. However, King Thibaw melted many of them to cast cannons for fortification of his palace. Of the thirty statues Bayinnaung brought from Siam, only six remain today, and are displayed in the temple complex. They are a major attraction because of their purported healing qualities.
The Mahamnuni image got damage from fires in 1879 and in 1884, King Thibaw re-built the new temple to place the Image after preservation. Gold leaves are regularly applied to the face and body of the Mahamuni Buddha by male devotees. However, it is also noted that the right hand, crown and other iconographic characteristics of royalty are free of gold leaf covering, which gives an impression that these were later additions to the original image of the Mahamuni. This custom made by kings as they want to be healthy, powerful and great one according to the astronomical belief. It began in 16 century of Nyaung Yan era to Konebaung era 18 century.
A large number of inscription stones collected by King Bodawpaya are seen in a long gallery in the southeastern corner of the temple courtyard. These inscriptions, some of which are made from gilded marble and sandstone, have been collected from many regions of the country. Adjacent to the Buddha temple is the Mahamuni Museum, which contains displays of Buddhism throughout Asia. Mahamuni Buddha Image’s Face Washing Ceremony always celebrates at 4;30 am in the morning and it is very famous among the foreign travelers as well as Buddhist people. After this, sandalwood paste is applied to the image and it is again cleaned with towels and finally sprinkled with scented water. After the ceremony is completed, the used are returned to the devotees who keep these towels with reverence in their home shrines. Its major annual pagoda festival known as the 'Mahamuni Paya Pwe' ('pwe' meaning "festival") is held in early February, at the end of the Buddhist Lent to celebrate the history of the pagoda. The traditional orchestra dance group and cane-ball playing will be followed. Mahamuni pagoda has been to be one of the greatest religious site and top most tourist attractions in Myanmar.

U Bein Birdge ( The World's Longest Teak-made Bridge)

U Bein Bridge is located at Amarapura Township in Mandalay Region and crossing on the Taungthaman lake which is the most beautiful one in Myanmar. Originally, it was built by Mayour U Bein during the regime of King Bagan in early 18 centuries. It was given the name of builder U Bein. It longs 1.2km about 1 mile. It is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. It is used as an important passageway for the local residents and has also become a tourist attraction and therefore a significant source of income for souvenir sellers. In Amarapura, the main business is silk weaving, dying, agriculture, farming, and fishing. Silk wares are popular among the Myanmar People as well as foreign visitors. There are two famous silk ware production and selling shops- Shwesintine and Theinnyo. The bridge was built with rest woods from the former royal palace in Inwa. It is comprised of 1086 teak posts, some of which have been replaced with new and concrete. The construction was started in 1849 and finished in 1851. Myanmar construction engineers used traditional methods of scaling and measuring to build the bridge. Nowadays, this bridge is fascinating a lot of travelers from the country to foreign countries. It is especially well-known for watching beautiful sunset on the bridge. Besides, it is one of the best spot for photography and taking local boat in the lake. The lake is gathering with rare species of migratory birds in the winter and in other seasons, water and resident birds can be seen a lot. One of best bird-watching sites in Mandalay and walking on the bridge make travelers happy and enjoyable. Cordially invite to you all to watch beautiful sunset while walking on the bridge.

Bagan (amazing year round destination & cultural heart of Myanmar)

Bagan (formerly called Pagan) is an ancient capital of Myanmar’s first dynasty founded by King Anawrahta in 1044. It is located in the central dry zone getting with little rain-fall in Mandalay Region of Myanmar. During the kingdom's reign between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 4,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas decorating fine architectural works, incredibly exquisite mural or frescos paintings, brilliant stucco carvings still survive to the present day. This magnificent land with numerous ancient pagodas has been recorded as the Largest Buddhist Temples Complex Area in the world. The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main attraction for the country's nascent tourism industry. It is seen by many as equal in attraction to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. From 1044 to 1287, Bagan was the first capital as well as the political, economic and cultural beginning center of the Myanmar people.

Bagan is the largest ancient historical and religious sites filling with remaining over 2000 pagodas (temples,stupas and monuments) in the plain. Bagan is surrounded by mountain ranges and Mighty Ayeyarwaddy river is in the east. Beyond historic and religious tours, there are many kinds of species of birds including Myanmar Endemic Species. Birding at Bagan give you not only birding taste but also touching with amazing architectural, historical, religious and cultural monuments. You can watch almost 30 species of birds including residents and water birds in the river on one day. Birding at Bagan is very worthy to spend only one day.

Naga Land ( nice adventurous touring to touch with Naga people)

Traveling to Naga land in Sagaing Region in the north west part of Myanmar is very adventurous and remote for travelers. Many kinds of Naga tribes are living unitedly in this region. Their lives are very simple and typical to touch for local experience. Their culture, tradition, festivals, taboos, foods, and belief are much interesting to learn by going there. Formerly, if travelers want to see Naga People and Land, at least they can go to Layshi by taking flight from Mandalay or Yangon to Homalin or Khamti. Lahe is a little far but it aslo very nice to visit as many Naga villages are surrounding. Namyum is the furthest to visit and mostly we need to use motorbikes to get there as the road conditions is difficult. Then, firstly, we need to bring four-wheel car which is most suitable for driving in this land on the wooden made raft to cross the river. Now, the bridge was built recently on the Chindwin River to make very accessible to get to Layshi, Lahe and Namym by driving with vehicles. #enjoywithmibtravels We have well-experienced tour guides who has been traveling to Naga Land with foreign clients for the Naga New Year Festival as well as regular tours in most seasons. According to the visited travelers, they much appreciate and satisfy for this journey filling with untouched natural beauty, remote Naga tribes' life, culture, tradition, adventurous route & traveling and alot.

Thatnatkha ( Traditional comestic & authentic culture)

Thanaka (Burmese Language) is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from the bark and roots of trees. A distinctive feature of the culture and tradition of Myanmar, the paste is commonly applied to the face, and sometimes the arms and calf of women and girls. It is used to a lesser extent by men and boys as well, especially, in sparsely rural areas. Most school children have colorful shapes drawn on their faces with thanakha. It is very useful for medical supplies and precious products in the country. Thanakha is mostly produced in the central, east, and dry region in Myanmar. The paste has earned a reputation for being a heritage product passed down from one generation to the next in the country. Nowadays, it is promoted as a ready-made cosmetic and is exported to various countries, especially Thailand. Certain trees are usually used to produce thanaka cream. These tress (botanical name - Lamonia accidisima) formally grow naturally in the forest. However, in recent times, these trees can be grown in many lands within a shorter period than normal ones. The two most popular are Shwebo thanaka from Sagaing Region and Shinmadaung thanaka from Magway Region. Thanaka trees are perennials and grow up to 30 feet in length. The cream derived from these trees is made by grinding the bark, wood, or roots with a small amount of water on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin. Thanaka cream has a fragrant smell, and is somewhat similar to sandalwood. The paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch and leaf shapes on each cheek, nose, and neck. As a cosmetic beauty product, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation and provides protection from sunburn. It is believed to help remove spots on the face and promote smooth skin. In some cases, it can also be used in medical purposes for children, like skin inflammation. It also helps in relieving some symptoms of menstruation in women. Whenever you visit Myanmar, do remember to buy this unique natural cream!