U Aung Aung Kyaw, director of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Management), announced the completion of the maintenance project for the Salay Archaeological Museum, also known as Yokesone Monastery, situated in Salay, Magway Region.
The project, initiated in early December, encompassed tasks such as installing a lightning rod and restoring ancient religious structures. Additionally, the department repaired two nearby pagodas that had suffered minor damage during Cyclone Mocha.
The director explained, “Experts used to refer to Salay as ‘a second Bagan’ due to its numerous ancient pagodas and temples. Yokesone Monastery is also globally renowned, leading us to conduct maintenance projects every financial year.”
Concerns about the existing road’s proximity to religious structures prompted the department to construct a new road. Heavy vehicles’ vibrations were compromising these buildings’ integrity, necessitating this infrastructure update.
Salay, the hometown of U Ponnya, a celebrated literary icon from the late Konbaung Dynasty, is renowned for the Yokesone Monastery, temples, and colonial buildings. — ASH/NT
