Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council member General Nyo Saw, Union ministers and officials, yesterday afternoon inspected renovation of ancient temples and stupas for existence in Bagan ancient cultural zone and damaged parts in recent heavy rains.
At Shwezigon Pagoda, the Senior General inspected maintenance of the bronze chambers, excavation of original sandstone tiles from the terrace, collapses of ancient walls on the southern stairway, maintenance of stairways, preservation of ancient religious edifices and drums, and paving of the marble tiles along the passage in the terrace.
After hearing the reports of officials, the Senior General stressed the need to maintain original sandstone tiles from the terrace in conducting research. He continued that original well-wishers must be contacted for renovation of religious edifices and records of the buildings must be compiled. Systematic maintenance must be done for ancient religious edifices as invaluable heritages, he added. Moreover, the Senior General urged officials not to allow construction of other buildings in the precinct of the pagoda and systematically maintain the ancient stone inscription of the pagoda.
In meeting with members of the pagoda board of trustees, the Senior General urged them to systematically preserve over 960 years old Shwezigon Pagoda as ancient cultural heritage through modern techniques to sustain original works for ensuring long term existence. He stressed the need to maintain other temples and stupas. In Bagan region, he underscored that Shwezigon Pagoda is eminent similar to Ananda Temple, Htilo Minlo Pagoda and other ancient pagodas. He pointed out that it is necessary to systematically consider maintenance of the pagodas under the long-term plans. Many requirements can be seen in current maintenance process, he added. It is necessary to adopt master plans for long-term preservation measures of ancient pagodas, he noted. He highlighted that preservation of ancient heritages comprises overall measures including inlet and outlet channels of water system.
The Mandalay Region Chief Minister, the Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture and the Union Minister for Construction reported on implementation of the guidance given by the Senior General on his tour of Bagan, progress in maintenance in Bagan ancient cultural zone, and needs of discussions among architects and engineers for preservation of ancient pagodas. The Senior General underlined that it is necessary to carry out maintenance works with expertise of experts through cultural and architectural outlooks.
The Senior General inspected preparations to gild the whole structure of the pagoda.
He inspected preservation of the inscription at the bell donated by King Bayintnaung and gave guidance on showcasing the meaning of the bell inscription for public observation.
At Thabbyinnyu Pagoda, the Senior General viewed round preservation of mural paintings, floral works, and ancient literature in the inner tunnel of the pagoda. He also inspected maintenance of the upper terrace for ensuring long-term existence.
The Senior General inspected partially collapse of the northern archway of the pagoda in recent heavy rains and left instructions on necessary maintenance.
On arrival at Hsinka brick chamber, No 1042 of the world heritage list in new Bagan satellite town, the Senior General looked into collapses of two walls and a bridging roof.
The Senior General instructed officials to systematically maintain the collapsed structures in fine weather to have original measurement with the use of bricks from the collapsed buildings and visited the chamber. — MNA/TTA
