Rebuilding the tooth relic tower, standing about 40 to 50 feet high, will not only showcase a Myanmar royal tradition to local and foreign visitors but also offer panoramic views of Inwa’s natural beauty, adding a new highlight to the city’s tourist attractions.
During the excavation of Inwa’s tooth relic building, a marble sphinx image, which was believed to be sculpted by Amarapura’s King Bagyidaw, was discovered, according to a local researcher, Bo Shake.
The tooth relic building was known to have eight sphinx images, and one of them was found during the excavation, which is invaluable for those who want to study the original work because this image can be referenced in renovation and restoration work.
“There are eight sphinxes in the tooth relic building. So far, one statue has remained intact. I’m so thrilled. When we rebuild it, we will have an original sculpted version to study. It’s an invaluable statue for those who want to study it in its original form. I hope to see more images,” he said.
The statue was delivered to the museum. As a donor will contribute to the reconstruction of the tooth relic building, located to the right of the eastern entrance to the ancient palace, the authentic renovation work preserving the original design will be conducted in Inwa, he added.
It was built for the fourth time by King Bagyidaw, probably in 1183 of the Myanmar Era, and will be rebuilt according to the paintings of the Parabaiks.
The rebuilding of the tooth relic tower will help promote tourism, as local and foreign visitors can explore a Myanmar royal tradition. Its height is about 40 to 50 feet, which can also become a place to enjoy the natural beauty of the ancient city from a height, adding to the list of tourist attraction sites in Inwa. — MT/ZN
