INTERESTING PLACES

Kawhnat Taik-Kyaung Monastery

This is an imposing two-storied building with a compound roof made up of six "pyathat" structures each having up to 6 tiers. It was built in 1885 by U Htaw Ei and wife Mi Hannah. The central feature of the building is the large main hall on the upper floor. This hall is large enough to be able to accomo-date the annual congregation of over 300 monks (together with attending laymen) which used to be held there. The hall is surrounded by many spacious rooms and living spaces. The ceiling of the hall is ornately decorated with glass mosaic work and gold and other paintings not unlike those seen in the ordination and shrine building built later by U Nar Auk and similarly partitioned into rectangular or square spaces. Each of the spaces is decorated with a central carved figure or icon. The huge supporting pillars are gold painted, with glass mosaicwork at the top. There are also spacious kitchen and washing rooms, mostly of teak construction.

State of the building

• There were major cracks on the walls of the building probably resulting from defective foundation. The building had recently been reinforced at the upper floor and ceiling levels and the cracks had been repaired (see pictures).
• Much of the woodwork especially those in the kitchen and washing rooms are in decay. Parts of the kitchen and washing places had been replaced.
• The pyathat roofs had been repaired and repainted.