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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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Shwe Indein Zedi
is the name
of a Buddhist
temple complex
in Indein, a village near the southeastern
edge of Inle Lake, in
Myanmar's
Shan
State. |
The temple consists of a group of ancient Buddhist
pagodas and was reportedly commissioned in the reign of
the 12th
Century AD
Pagan
King
Narapati Sithu. |
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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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However,
despite
archaeological or historical evidence to support it,
popular tradition
holds
that it was built by the 3rd Century AD Mauryan Emperor
Dhammasoka
and later renovated by
the 11th
Century AD
Burmese
King
Anawrahta
(fig.). |
The nation's numerous
earthquakes have caused
many of the
zedi
to collapse
(fig.),
while the encroaching jungle has over time covered the
masonry structures with vegetation, including large
trees, some of which have rooted on top of the pagodas. |
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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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These features,
together with the ancient
bas-reliefs
and statues of temple guardians, angels and deities,
allow for this place to convey to its visitors a rather
unique somewhat Jungle Book-like atmosphere. |
The name
Shwe Indein Zedi
translates ‘Golden
Indein
Pagoda(s)’
and may refer to the desert sand-like colour of most
structures. |
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Shwe Indein Zedi |
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