Shwenandaw Monastery, Buddhist teak monastery near Mandalay Hill, Myanmar
Shwenandaw Monastery is a wooden structure featuring ornate teak panels on its walls and tiered roofs in traditional Burmese style. The building displays intricate carvings throughout, with decorative patterns covering both exterior and interior surfaces.
The monastery originated as part of the royal palace at Amarapura and was relocated to its present location in 1878. King Thibaw dedicated it in honor of his father King Mindon.
The monastery's carved panels tell stories from the Jataka tales, showing scenes from Buddha's past lives in detailed wood panels. These scenes are part of the daily spiritual experience for monks and visitors who come to pray.
Visiting requires a ticket for the Mandalay archaeological zone, which allows multiple visits over several days. Come in early morning hours to see the carved details in better light.
The monastery is one of the few original teak structures remaining from the Mandalay Royal Palace complex, which suffered significant damage during World War II. Its preservation makes it a rare example of the palace's original architecture.
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