Myanmar always fascinated me in my
childhood thru its proximity to India and the golden pagodas that I have seen
in the pictures. When I started travels, it has become one of my bucket list
countries mainly due to the turbulent history and the peace activities led by
Aung San Suu Kyi. Finally, last month I could indeed visit Yangon the capital
of modern Myanmar previously called as Burma. Flew from Malaysia into Yangon
crossing the Andaman Sea. Yangon is the capital and located in the Irrawaddy
delta.
Yangon has historic ties to India from the past thru Buddhism
followed by trade activities pursued by Indian merchants mainly the Chettiyar
community from southern India. Colonized by the British and Japanese for a
short period during World War II, Burma underwent a series of political changes
and got its independence in 1948. During the 1960’s, there was a huge exodus of
people of Indian origin as refugees. Today, Myanmar still has a huge Indian and
Chinese population along with other groups from South Asia. Most of the Burmese
are Theravada Buddhists. Mostly the major religions co-exist except for the
controversial Rohingya settlement in Northern Burma who are from the Bangladesh
region.
First visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, the landmark of Yangon. The
sun rise and the sun set makes the beautiful golden dome and the gold plated
pagoda towers turns magical with the gleaming in laid precious stones. Also
visited the famous Chaukhtatgyi Buddha
Temple with the Reclining Buddha statue.
It was a great experience to see the monks and the people praying silently and
offering the incense and flowers.
Our Guide came
promptly at 8:00am to take us to Bago. Bago is situated about 80Km from Yangon.
Our wonderful Burmese Guide was very happy to stop at the village bazaar on the
way for us to get a glimpse of the real Burmese market. Burma is an
agricultural economy and one can see the lush green paddy fields once we step
out of Yangon city. Stopped at the World
War II memorial where one can find the names of Indians, Chinese, Burmese, and
British who fought and died. The Taukkyan War Cemetery reminds us the
importance of peace. The Bago adventure
will be continued….
PEACE ON EARTH
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