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PLACES OF INTEREST

 

 

 

  Mahamuni Bronze Statues Museum

 

Myanmar

The History Art Gallery, i.e. a bronze statues museum within Maha Myat Muni Phaya (fig.) in Mandalay, features six large bronze statues that originate from Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

 

Besides a statue of the multi-headed white elephant Airavata (fig.), there are three statues of mythological lions called simha or singha (fig.), and two warriors said to represent Shiva (fig.). Visitors to the temple used to come here to rub a particular part of their bodies against the statues believing that they have healing qualities, hence the statues were eventually relocated to the centre of the hall and now stand on an elevated platform behind glass panels, thus still allowing for devotees to walk around the statues or even perform a thaksinahwat (fig.), while safeguarding the ancient bronzes at the same time.

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