Govt conserves wall paintings at Tilawka Guru Cave in Sagaing

Conservation works are being conducted on ancient mural paintings of the Nyaung Yan era in Tilawka Guru Cave in Thawta Pan Ward of Sagaing, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Sagaing branch).
The wall paintings were drawn in AD 17 and represent the artworks of the Nyaung Yan era. The artworks are more than 350 years old, and so conservation works are conducted with more than K80 million of the 2020-2021FY. The operations were launched in March, and now 20 per cent of works completed, said the deputy head of the department.
“The paintings of 28 Buddha statues and more than 30 Jataka tales, including ten great birth stories of the Buddha, were depicted on the cave wall. The lotus bloom and Buddha footprint are also painted on the roof of the cave. Therefore, the officials conduct conservation works to preserve the mural paintings and history by using modern chemicals and techniques. If the people visit here, they can see the unique architecture and wall paintings of Nyaung Yan era,” he said.
The Tilawka Guru Cave was constructed in 1034 ME. According to the ancient record, it was constructed in the term of King Anauk Phet Lun in 967ME.
The cave was made of stone, including brick, and it is a unique architecture of the Nyaung Yan era. There are three entrance gates, and we can see six meditation rooms, Gandhakuti and corridors to walk. The mural paintings are depicted along the way to the cave.—Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House) /GNLM