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Phowintaung Cave Complex, Monywa

Phowintaung (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 Myanmar (Burma). 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.

Entrance to local pagoda protected by two snakes.

Entrance to Phowintaung Cave Complex.

Monkey on the floor watching the younger ones.

Young monkeys on the covered stairs that give access to the caves.

All hands are used to hold the fruit offerings.

Modern temple to start the tour through the caves.

A large mythical lion welcomes visitors.

The first cave in a series of many caves.

The entrance to many of the caves is low and narrow.

Inside the caves there are reclining Buddhas in addition to sitting Buddhas.

Large seated Buddha, surrounded by scenes from the life of Buddha.

Another reclining Buddha.

Architectural complex around a central courtyard.
Surrounding the central courtyard are seated and reclining statues of Buddha.


Stone hill with a cave inside with several entrances.

Another stone hill with a cave inside with several entrances.

A recently restored Buddha statue.

An area of neglected caves.

Set of caves protected by mythical lions.

Cave covered in paintings with a statue of Buddha lying down.

Two small sets of stupas.
This set of stupas is located just before we reach the temple of the local nat spirit.


Temple of the local nat spirit.

Another cave with a set of entrances.
In one part of this cave there is a set of Buddhas surmounted by a single snake.


Large cave richly painted with a statue of Buddha lying down.

Richly painted cave with several statues of Buddhas sitting around a stupa.

Another set of caves.

Representation of Mount Meru.
Carved directly into the rock the entrance to this cave represents the cosmic mount Meru together with the seven concentric mountain ranges around it.


Westernmost group of caves.

Leaving Phowintaung Cave Complex.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Myanmar (Burma)