The Culture Ministry and its Mandalay division are collaborating on the proposal to have the temple listed. U Nyo Myint Htun is a senior director at Mandalay and said the bid was awaiting the green light from the attorney-general in Naypyidaw.
The director noted that if permission was forthcoming, other related government agencies would also need to agree. He finished off by saying that getting added to the list would create more public awareness and be beneficial to tourism.
Tamote Shin Pin Shwe Gu Gyi dates from the reign of Bagan’s King Anawrahta and is an archetypal example of that kingdom’s style of building. Wall frescoes and carvings plus the general building style epitomise Bagan’s.
The temple and Kyaukse are situated 40kms to the south of Mandalay and 200kms from Bagan. Historians say the temple is prime evidence of the large area of the Bagan Kingdom.
Tamote Shin Pin Shwe Gu Gyi was lost in the sands of time until recently. In 1993, local residents found traces of brickwork and a 2008 excavation revealed the structure in all its former glory.
Historic temple on Road to Mandalay to gain heritage status
News in Asia
Myanmar’s culture and heritage ministry says it plans to add a 900-year-old temple to its list of national historic sites. Tamote Shin Pin Shwe Gu Gyi Pagoda is located in the modern township of Kyaukse and was built in the middle years of the 11th century.