Phowintaung

Myanma cave complex
22°02′44.46″N 94°59′3.03″E / 22.0456833°N 94.9841750°E / 22.0456833; 94.9841750ArchitectureCompleted14th century
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Phowintaung (Burmese: ဖိုလ်ဝင်တောင် [pʰo tàʊɰ̃], also spelt as Hpowindaung, Powintaung, Po Win Taung) is a Buddhist cave complex located approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Monywa and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southeast of Yinmabin, in Yinmabin Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Region, Northern Burma (Myanmar). It is located on the western bank of the Chindwin River. The name of the complex means Mountain of Isolated Solitary Meditation.

The complex contains 947 small and large richly decorated caves. It is carved into a sandstone outcrop and contains numerous carved Buddha statues and mural paintings of geometric patterns and Jataka stories. The statues and paintings have been dated to between the 14th and 18th centuries.

Accessibility

It is accessible from Monywa either by direct road over the new bridge or by a ferry across the Chindwin and then taking a jeep at the scenic Nyaungbin village.

Gallery

  • Ceiling vault with depiction of Buddha
    Ceiling vault with depiction of Buddha
  • Buddha-lined passageway
    Buddha-lined passageway
  • Mural paintings
    Mural paintings
  • Buddha statues
    Buddha statues
  • Entrance to one of the caves
    Entrance to one of the caves
  • Buddha in Mahaparinibbana pose
    Buddha in Mahaparinibbana pose
  • Worshipping the Buddha
    Worshipping the Buddha

References

  • Monywa - Santa Maria Travel and Tours
  • Monywa and Powin Daung
  • Luminous Journeys Travel

External links

  • Photos of Phowintaung
  • Panoramio pictures for Phowintaung
  • v
  • t
  • e
Major Buddhist sites in Myanmar
Kachin State
  • Kawmein Pagoda
  • Hsutaungpye Pagoda
  • Shwemyinzu Pagoda
  • Theindawgyi Pagoda
Kayin State
Mon StateRakhine State
Mrauk U
Sittwe
Shan State
Ayeyarwady Region
Bago Region
Magway RegionMandalay Region
Amarapura
Bagan
Inwa
Mandalay
Kyaukse
Wundwin
  • Dattaw Pagoda
  • Kyauk Sin Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Myamyinzu Pagoda
  • Myat Nyi Naung Pagoda
  • Thein Taung Pagoda
Sagaing Region
Sagaing
Mingun
Monywa
Shwebo
Tanintharyi RegionYangon RegionNaypyidaw