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Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. When it was founded in 1857, the royal city was officially named Yadanabon, the Burmese version of "(city) full of gems".

Shwenandaw Monastery (lit. "Golden Palace Monastery") is a historic Buddhist monastery located near Mandalay Hill

Shwenandaw Monastery was built in 1880 by King Thibaw Min, who dismantled and relocated the apartment formerly occupied by his father, King Mindon Min, just before Mindon Min's death, at a cost of 120,000 rupees. Thibaw removed the building in October 1878, believing it to be haunted by his father's spirit. The building was reconstructed as a monastery over the course of 5 years, dedicated in memory of his father, on a plot adjoining Atumashi Monastery.

The building was originally part of the royal palace at Amarapura, before it was moved to Mandalay, where it formed the northern section of the Hmannan (Glass Palace) and part of the king's royal apartments.

Monastic buildings and wooden houses in general, were usually set on wooden platforms that offered ventilation as well as some protection from snakes and a variety of other unwelcome and unsavory intruders. Such is the case at Shwenandaw Monastery

The monastery is known for its teak carvings of Buddhist myths, which adorn its walls and roofs. The monastery is built in the traditional Burmese architectural style. Shwenandaw Monastery is the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace today.

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu & InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound Sein Bo Tint - Burmese Traditional Orchestra leader