Saturday, 3 August 2013

Kanbawzathadi

A remade palace named Kanbawzathadi, located in the center of Bago, is one of the attractive sites for foreign visitors as well as local ones to study how ancient Myanmar king ruled and built the country with full of cultural heritages collectively in the bygone era.
Fifty miles away from Yangon, Bago is a good place to travel for one day trip.

“The place is packed with tourists because it is just an hour drive from Yangon to see ancient Myanmar culture and heritage,” said Nwe Nwe Aye, a tour guide.


She said especially her Thai clients love to visit the palace because they think that historic place is somehow related to them.

Mr.Som, a Thai visitor said, he is visiting the palace because he would like to imagine the golden days of Taungoo dynasty under King Bayint Naung. He added that it was the time when Thai princess Suphankalya and her younger brother prince Naresuanwere adapted by King Bayint Naung and they grew up in the palace.

The golden palace has seven-tiered roof called “Pyathat”. It is a prominent feature in the royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and buildings.

There are two throne rooms in this palace, in fact. One is Thihathana Throne (Royal Lion Throne) and the other is Bhammayarthana Throne (Bee Throne).

The former is where the king received the homage of his ministers, queen, wives of courtiers, feudal lords and other officials in his time whereas the latter one is for the king to spend his hours of rest and relaxation. Wedding ceremonies and festive occasions such as the “Thingyan” Water Festival were held in the Bhammayarthana Throne Room.

The Thihathana Throne is kept in the “Great Audience Hall” which is located in the forefront of the palace building where the King resides.

The king’s accessories are also displayed around the throne. Amongst, one of the interesting items is the carriage that was used for king’s transportation. It was made of gold and jewels.

The King Bayint Naung was one of the powerful Myanmar kings who conquered many Southeast Asian countries including Siamese nation and built the country as the greatest kingdom in Indochina. Bayint Naung resided Hanthawaddy as the capital.

The King Bayint Naung was the founder of the second Myanmar Empire, built the palace in Hanthawaddy and, in 1556, named it as Kanbawzathadi – Kanbawza means Shan State and Thadi means full of peace and prosperity.

History says it was burned down to ground in 1599 due to war. The king ruled the country from 1551 to 1581.

Bago was used to call Hanthawaddy till 1911 in the time of British colony. The city was resided as capital for many Mon’s queens and kings for many centuries.

With acknowledge of the creations of the ancient Myanmar architect, it is doubtlessly seen that Myanmar arts and architects were already developed by that time.

Bayint Naung’s governors and chieftains offered wood logs to the king in order to use as pillars while the palace was being built. Visitors can see the display of the original wooden pillars of the original palace. At the bottom of each pillar, names of the senders were curved.

There is an archeological museum in the middle of palace’ compound where excavated and historic items are exhibited.

It came to see that clay tablets of Buddha images and glazes were developed in the King Bayint Naung period. As a matter of fact, glazes were even traded and sold to the ocean going sailing ships.

A 67 acres land has been excavated for remade palace which includes man-made lakes, city wall and moat.
 
source: Eleven Myanmar

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...