Bagan: The serenity hidden within

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the kingdom of Bagan established Theravada Buddhism in the region, building over 10,000 temples and stupas. Unfortunately, only a fraction remain today, but Bagan is still an eminent destination for Buddhist pilgrimage.

Every January, thousands of Buddhist monks flock to Bagan for the Ananda Pagoda Festival, where they collect alms and raise funds for their daily needs.

With so much history and culture packed in just 104km², it’s no surprise Bagan is a big draw for tourists. Despite the influx of visitors, the monks who live here continue their serene, unhurried pace of life.

During the Ananda Pagoda Festival, groups of monks – young and old – line the paths leading to the eponymous temple.

In Myanmar, boys from Buddhist families are obliged to spend some time in a monastery and become familiar with the fundamentals of the religion. This shot was taken in Shwegu Pahahita monastery, close to Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan.

Monastic life can be challenging – at Shwegu Pahahita, it starts at 4am with prayers in the main assembly hall followed by a schedule of chores, classes, meditation and memorising of Buddhist scriptures, before ending at 10pm after an evening prayer session.

Across Bagan, you’ll often find young monks sitting within the ancient temples reading Buddhist scriptures.

It’s easy to stumble upon moments of serenity and contemplation in Bagan.

SilkAir flies daily between Singapore and Yangon. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com

SEE ALSO: Is Myanmar’s Mergui archipelago Asia’s last unspoilt island utopia?

This article was originally published in the October 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine

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