Burma Tapestries

Irrawaddy River near Yandabo, Myanmar

Near Poungbyian, Myanmar 8E1609.1448 Nikon D800E | AFS Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII + TC-20E III @ 230mm f/9 1/320s ISO1250 | Raw

Sunset on Ilne Lake. The cone nets are unique to Inle lake, which is very shallow - fish are trapped inside the cone when fishermen push it to the bottom. Fish yields are declining rapidly, however. The single paddle is also unique to Inle Lake, and the fishermen propel it with one leg while they wield the net between the other leg and an arm.

There is a circular railway line that goes round Rangoon covering about 30 miles. We can travel on this for $1. This shot was taken at a village small station along the route.

Shwedaung, Myanmar 8E1609.2619 Nikon D800E | AFS Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII @ 105mm f/9 1/125s ISO1000 | Raw

Sunset over Inle Lake with cone fishermen. The fishermen on Inle Lake have a really interesting way of paddling their boats. They wrap their leg around the oar and paddle that way. It is beautiful how they can glide through the water and still have use of both of their hands.

Beautiful fountains in Yangon, Myanmar with the Shwedagon Pagoda in the background

Pattern inspired by Karen tribe patterns inside an outline of the country.

Get it quick, get it fast, get it while it's hot. Always original & fresh Mohinga is a fish based noodle soup, a popular and traditional meal that represents Myanmar's cuisine.

A typical farmers home. Here the woman is washing.

Shrine withing the Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon

Monk Praying at e Shwedagon Pagoda officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw and also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a gilded pagoda and stupa 99 metres in height that is located in Rangoon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of four past Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the capital of Burma.

Here are some images from inside the pagoda. Didn't seem all that well looked after given the amount of donations I saw given. Lots of snakes, of course. Officially called Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taungpye Pagoda, this pagoda located not too far from Inwa and Amarapura is generally known as Hmwe Paya, or the Snake Pagoda. What makes it special is the 3 pythons living 'happily' with the monks there. The pagoda was established in 1974 by a local Buddhist monk. It is said that the monk found two large pythons lying around a statue of Buddha inside the old pagoda. At first, he carried them back to the jungle. However, the snakes came back bringing a friend with them. The monk found them holy, possibly the reincarnated souls of monks who used...

Dawn on Ilne Lake. The cone nets are unique to Inle lake, which is very shallow - fish are trapped inside the cone when fishermen push it to the bottom. Fish yields are declining rapidly, however. The single paddle is also unique to Inle Lake, and the fishermen propel it with one leg while they wield the net between the other leg and an arm.

According to legend the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BC. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries AD.

Sunrise over Inle Lake with cone fishermen. The fishermen on Inle Lake have a really interesting way of paddling their boats. They wrap their leg around the oar and paddle that way. It is beautiful how they can glide through the water and still have use of both of their hands.

The Shwemawdaw Paya in Bago is the tallest pagoda in Burma. With its height of 114 meters it is 15 meters taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda in nearby Yangon. The impressive Shwemawdaw, which translates to “Great Golden God” was built by the Mon people over a thousand years ago. It is one of Burma’s most sacred sites, because it enshrines several relics of the Buddha. The towering pagoda glittering in the sun can be seen from miles around. . Over the centuries, the pagoda has been rebuilt and enlarged several times, as a result of the destruction caused by earthquakes. Two huge Chinthe, mythological animals that look like a lion stand guard at the entrance of the temple grounds. Numerous small pagodas are placed at the base of the 114 m...

Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) 8E1608.8431 Nikon D800E | Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 VC @ 24mm f/4 1/100s ISO4000 | Raw Featured in Religious Architecture (14 December 2016)

Myanmar

Near Tigyaung, Myanmar 8E1608.8513 Nikon D800E | Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII + TC-20E III @ 400mm f/11 1/640s ISO400 | Raw

Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River, Myanmar 8E1609.0246 Nikon D800E | AFS Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII @ 85mm f/11 1/500s ISO400 | Raw

gift for someone whose Home is in Burmese from Myanmar

The Shwemawdaw Paya in Bago is the tallest pagoda in Burma. With its height of 114 meters it is 15 meters taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda in nearby Yangon. The impressive Shwemawdaw, which translates to “Great Golden God” was built by the Mon people over a thousand years ago. It is one of Burma’s most sacred sites, because it enshrines several relics of the Buddha. The towering pagoda glittering in the sun can be seen from miles around. Over the centuries, the pagoda has been rebuilt and enlarged several times, as a result of the destruction caused by earthquakes. Two huge Chinthe, mythological animals that look like a lion stand guard at the entrance of the temple grounds. Numerous small pagodas are placed at the base of the 114 me...

This was taken just outside Nyaungshwe at Inle Lake. All parts of the cane are used.

The Kuthodaw Paya (Pagoda), or Maha Lawka Marazein Paya, contains what often is called the world’s largest book. It is a large walled complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon at the same time hewas constructing the Royal Palace. Its central stupa is modeled on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near Bagan. An on-site carved tablet indicates that the pagoda’s height is 187 ft 9 in, high, while some guide books list it at 100 ft. The former includes the platform in the measurement.

Caught at market beside the Irrawaddy, Rangon. They will be delivered to your restaurant shortly.

Shrines at the Shwedagon Pagoda officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw and also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a gilded pagoda and stupa 99 metres in height that is located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of four past Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the capital of Burma.

Climbing to top of Sagaing Hill in Mandalay, came across these Burmese having a snack part of the way up.

The Kuthodaw Paya (Pagoda), or Maha Lawka Marazein Paya, contains what often is called the world’s largest book. It is a large walled complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon at the same time he was constructing the Royal Palace. Its central stupa is modeled on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near Bagan. An on-site carved tablet indicates that the pagoda’s height is 187 ft 9 in, high, while some guide books list it at 100 ft (30 m). The former includes the platform in the measurement.

Not sure what's going on here, looks like he or his mum have sold out of fish. Otherwise his mum could still be shopping. Taken at fish market Mandalay

The Sandamuni Pagoda is located to the southeast of Mandalay Hill and looks similar to nearby Kuthodaw pagoda because of the large number of slender whitewashed stupas on the grounds. The pagoda was erected on the location of King Mindon’s provisional palace. It was built as a memorial to King Mindon’s younger half-brother Crown Prince Kanaung, who had helped him seize power from Pagan Min in 1853. Poor Crown Prince Kanaung was assassinated by 2 of Mindon’s sons who were disappointed being excluded from the succession. In 1874, King Mindon had the pagoda built near the graves of the Crown Prince. In this image Mandalay Hill is in the background.

These young nuns are walking round town collecting alms. In this case some rice, but other items are sometimes given including money. I was given to understand that monks were allowed to collect alms 5 days a week, while nuns were allowed only two days. Didn't get this confirmed though.

Photo taken of people unloading barge on Irrawaddy, Mandalay. They get paid about 50 cents (US) a day and they work all day. They're unloading firewood for the city, of which a lot is used.

The site of the deserted Palace of Ava is now marked by a solitary masonry 27 metres high watchtower, an example of early 19th century Burmese architecture.

Seen on way to Sagaing, outside Mandalay.

Located close by the Shwethlyaung temple, the M temple is one of the newer in the region. Built in 2002, it is unusual because of the outdoor nature of the Buddha. In this instance, the reclining Buddha is not covered by any building or structure, which leads many to believe that the complex may not be completed. The detailing and composure of the image make it one of the more striking reclining Buddhas around. The size of this Buddha image exceeds that of the image in the neighboring Shwethlyaung temple.