|
The first trip takes us to the cave temples of Pho Win Taung (some 800+ caves) and Shwe Ba Taung
|
|
|
The area map they provide at the entrance (above left) is bleached by sunlight so a better one is above right; still better is the aerial view below
|
|
So follow me on the walk around but I can't specify the places where the photos were taken (this is a job for future investigations)
|
|
One of the guardian Ogres above at the entrance to the cave area and of course a Buddha statue (below)
|
|
|
The door with the carvings originally closed the entrance of the Queen's cave (below )
|
|
|
In many of the caves you will find statues of the Reclining Buddha (Parinibbana Buddha) like the one above
|
|
Almost all of the caves are beautifully decorated (below) with mural paintings ...
|
|
|
...showing scenes of the life of Buddha and of the Royal Court and date back to 14th to 18th century
|
|
|
Most of the statues are carved directly from the sandstone inside the cave
|
|
|
|