Inspection of Renovation Works: MORAC UM inspected renovation works of pagodas

Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, accompanied by officials, visited the Mahamuni Buddha image in Chanmyathazi Township on August 19. The Union Minister offered flowers and water to the Buddha image. He then presented donations from himself and all walks of life for the all-round renovation of the pagoda.

He also donated relic caskets, Buddha statues, and Dhamma stupas for the pagoda's reliquary chamber to the board of trustees. The Union Minister then offered gold leaf to the Mahamuni Buddha image and circumambulated the image in a clockwise direction.

He also inspected the damage caused by the earthquake to the religious buildings within the pagoda compound. He then visited and paid his respects to the diamond orb, golden umbrella, and Pennant-shaped vane in No.1 museum, which are being prepared for placement on top of the seven-tiered spire.

Afterward, the Union Minister attended a meeting at the Mahamuni Pagoda compound to discuss the reconstruction of religious buildings damaged by the earthquake, including the Gandha Kuti building and the multi-tiered roof building. He sought guidance from Ovadacariya Sayadawgyis regarding the preservation of the sacred Mahamuni Buddha image.

He instructed officials to collaborate with engineers, seismologists, and experts from the Myanmar Engineering Council and Myanmar Engineering Society to ensure that the pagoda's buildings are fully reinforced using the highest quality construction materials and the latest technology.

The Union Minister and officials then inspected the Phaya Ni Pagoda and the A-yike-ma-thwet Pagoda with a late Yadanapon-era artistic work, which was built by King Kyansittha in 426 ME, both of which were damaged by the earthquake.

He instructed officials to restore the pagodas in their original form, in accordance with the SOP Guidelines for the restoration of pagodas and temples. He then donated money, a bronze Buddha statue, the relic stupa, and Dhamma stupas from himself and all walks of life to the board of trustees for the pagoda's reliquary chamber.