Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
anmar' (by the Rakhine at least), three of the obelisk's four sides are inscribed in faded
Sanskrit. The east-facing side likely dates from the end of the 5th century. The western
face displays a list dating from the 8th century, outlining Rakhine kings from 638 BC to
AD 729 (King Anandacandra).
Lying on its back next to the pillar is a cracked, 12ft-long sandstone slab featuring an
engraved lotus flower (a Buddhist motif) growing from a wavy line of water and touch-
ing an intricately engraved dhammacakka (Pali for 'Wheel of the Law').
Along the outer walls, several reliefs can be seen (some are hard to reach); a few on
the south side are rather pornographic.
ยป Inside the temple
Inside the temple's prayer hall you'll see several doors ahead. Two lead to passage-
ways that encircle the main buddha image in the cave hall (which can be seen straight
ahead).
The far left (southwest) doorway leads to the outer chamber , a 310ft passageway with
sandstone slabs cut into six tiers. Over 1000 sculptures show a lot of detail of Rakhine
customs (eg traditionally dressed dancers, boxers and acrobats), beasts of burden, and
hundreds of Jataka (scenes from Buddha's past 550 lives). At each corner are bigger fig-
ures, including the maker King Minbin and his queens at the southwest corner. The pas-
sage opens in the front, where you can step out for views.
Next to the outer chamber entry is a coiling inner chamber leading past scores of
buddha images in niches, passing a Buddha footprint where - it's said - Buddha walked
during his post-enlightenment. Once you get to the dead end, double back to the hall, and
see if you can feel the passageway becoming cooler. Some claim it does, symbolising the
'cooling effect' of Buddhist teachings.
Andaw Paya HISTORICAL SITE
MAP
( daylight hours) Andaw Paya takes the form of an eight-sided monument with a
linear layout: rectangular prayer hall to the east, multispired sanctuary to the west. Six-
teen zedi (stupas) are aligned in a square-cornered U-shape around the southern, northern
and western platforms. Two concentric passageways are lined with buddha niches; in the
centre of the shrine, an eight-sided pillar supports the roof.
The original construction of the shrine is ascribed to King Minhlaraza in 1521. King
Minrazagyi then rebuilt Andaw in 1596 to enshrine a piece of the Buddha tooth relic sup-
posedly brought from Sri Lanka by King Minbin in the early 16th century.
Dukkanthein Paya HISTORICAL SITE
 
 
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