Monywa – Pagodas and Cave Art

In Monywa, the Shwezigon Pagoda and the Hsutaungpyae Pagoda are among the well-known pagodas. Nearby, there are cave and temple sites featuring wall art and sculptures. If you are looking for a hotel in Monywa, distinguishing between the festival at Hsutaungpyae, the pagodas in the city and the rock art in the surrounding area can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Pagodas and a festival in Monywa

The Buddha Pujaniya Festival is held annually at Hsutaungpyae Pagoda. It lasts ten days in the month of Thadingyut and attracts numerous pilgrims and visitors. The pagoda is therefore not only one of Monywa’s well-known structures but is also associated with a recurring festival tradition.

Cave art in the vicinity

Pho Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung are located in Yinmabin Township, 25 kilometres west of Monywa in Sagaing Region. There, you can see stone carvings, wall art, sculptures and religious art from ancient Myanmar. This shared location places both sites in the vicinity of Monywa; however, their individual art forms and structures differ.

More than 900 man-made caves are said to be found at Pho Win Taung. Their inner walls feature Buddha images and ancient paintings. A legend is also associated with the site: according to the story, the alchemist U Pho Win lived in the caves; the mountain and the caves were named after him. The naming story thus refers to both of the features mentioned—the mountain and the caves.

At Shwe Ba Taung, numerous caves and temples have been carved into the surrounding volcanic rock and are adorned with ancient Buddha images. The cave walls feature murals dating from the 13th century. A comparison highlights their different focuses: at Pho Win Taung, the stated number of caves and the ancient paintings are notable; at Shwe Ba Taung, there are also temples carved into volcanic rock and murals whose period is specified.

Art and devotion at Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda

Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda is also cited as a destination for local and foreign visitors in the Monywa area because of its art and craftsmanship. The location given remains the Monywa area. The pagoda complements the cave and rock art of the other sites with another perspective on religious depictions and craftsmanship.

A report from 2020 gives the number of Buddha images on the interior and exterior walls of the main building as 582,363. A further 864 surrounding pagodas can also be seen at the pagoda and the prayer hall. The figures therefore relate to different parts of the complex: images in the main building and visible pagodas at the pagoda and the prayer hall.

Religious practice includes a specific act: at Mohnyin Thanbuddhe Pagoda, visitors can pay homage to standing and seated Buddha images of various sizes. Alongside the artistic depictions, different forms of worship are therefore also a focus here. Together with the information about the structures and images, this offers another point of reference if you are planning your trip around the cultural themes in and around Monywa.

Discover more destinations: Katha, Khin Mun, Sagaing, Myene

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