Burma Tapestries

Young monk on way to prayer at Bago monestery.

Many women will buy fish from the fish market, packed in baskets of ice, then try to sell what they've bought at a slight profit. Taken outside fish market in Mandalay.

Saw this man at work along 84th Street Mandalay

Kalewa, Myanmar 8E1608.9040 Nikon D800E | Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 VC @ 30mm f/3.2 1/160s ISO1000 | Raw Top 10 in Piers, Jetties, Bridges and Lighthouses “Under the Bridge” (27 November 2016)

Bus stop in Mandalay caught my attention given the traditionally dressed mad and the youths.

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. he 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. wo 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 ...

Shrine at Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon. 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.

According to Burmese legend the site where the Sule pagoda now stands was once the home of a powerful nat (spirit) named Sularata. The king of the Nats, Sakka, wished to help the legendary king Okkalap build a shrine for the Buddha's sacred hair-relic on the same site where three previous Buddhas had buried sacred relics in past ages. Unfortunately, these events had happened so long ago that not even Sakra knew exactly where the relics were buried. The Sule nat, however, who was so old that his eyelids had to be propped up with trees in order for him to stay awake, had witnessed the great event. The gods, Nats and humans of the court of Okkalapa therefore gathered around the Sule Ogre and asked him the location, which he eventually remem...

The Sule Pagoda is located in the heart of downtown Yangon, occupying the centre of the city and an important space in contemporary Burmese politics, ideology and geography. According to legend, it was built before the Shwedagon Pagoda during the time of the Buddha, making it more than 2,500 years old. Burmese legend states that the site for the Shwedagon Pagoda was asked to be revealed from an old nat who resided at the place where the Sule Pagoda now stands. The Sule Pagoda has been the focal point of both Yangon and Burmese politics. It has served as a rallying point in both the 1988 uprisings and 2007 Saffron Revolution.

Caught at Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon. 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.

Young girl living with her extended family on abandoned hotel on Inle Lake.

Near Tigyaung, Myanmar 8E1608.9247 Nikon D800E | Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII + TC-20E III @ 400mm f/11 1/800s ISO400 | Raw

Chindwin River, Myanmar 8E1608.9533 Nikon D800E | AFS Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII @ 120mm f/5 1/8000s ISO1600 | Raw

This large hotel was abandoned but taken over by a Burmese extended family. It sits in Inle Lake. They had installed a small fish farm by hotel probably needed as lake is depleted of fish due to overfishing.

Myanmar 8E1609.1407 Nikon D800E | Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 VC @ 48mm f/9 1/160s ISO500 | Raw

An alternative view. Located close by the Shwethlyaung temple, the Mya Tha Lyaung 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.

Having bought a quantity of small fish it is being shared out for all family to carry. Fish market Mandalay

Bananas for sale near fish market on Irrawaddy River at Mandalay. Not sure what the brown ones are.

Taken on trip along railway line that circles Rangoon. This mans home was near the track.

Monks waiting for sunset atop Mandalay Hill. Mandalay city took its name from the hill. Mandalay Hill is known for its abundance of pagodas and monasteries, and has been a major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists for nearly two centuries. At the top of the hill is the Sutaungpyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda. A panoramic view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill alone makes it a worthwhile climb. Many people climb to see the sunset, as did I.

gift for someone whose Home is an Burmese from Myanmar

Sort of sunset from top of Mandalay Hill. Mandalay city took its name from the hill. Mandalay Hill is known for its abundance of pagodas and monasteries, and has been a major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists for nearly two centuries. At the top of the hill is the Sutaungpyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda. A panoramic view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill alone makes it a worthwhile climb. Many people climb to see the sunset, as did I.

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.

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.

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.

Seen on way to Sagaing, outside Mandalay.

Burmese lads unloading a boat at the Irrawaddy River near the fish market, Mandalay

Yangon, Myanmar 8E1608.7431 Nikon D800E | Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VRII @ 200mm f/4.5 1/500s ISO800 | Raw

gift for someone whose Home is in Burmese from Myanmar

gift for someone who has Burmese roots from the country of Myanmar

gift for someone whose Home is an Burmese from Myanmar

Bagan, located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Bagan became a central powerbase in the mid 9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. It is estimated that as many as 13,000 temples and stupas once stood on this 42 sq km plain in central Burma. Approximately 2,000 remain today, in various states of disrepair. Some are large and well maintained, such as the Ananda Pahto, others are small tumbledown relics in the middle of overgrown grass. Despite the majesty and importance of Bagan, UNESCO did not include it on its World Heritage Site, beca...