THE pilgrims travelling to the Bagan Ancient Cultural Zone in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Region, can study and pay homage to the Buddha image depicting the scene of the Buddha residing in the Pārileyya Forest, which is displayed in the main exhibition hall, according to the officials of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).
The Buddha image in the Pārileyya Forest scene measures 116 centimetres in height, 66.1 centimetres in width and 29.5 centimetres in thickness, and was recovered from Myinkaba Gupyauknge Temple. The Buddha image is depicted seated with legs folded, with the soles of the feet resting on a lotus flower pedestal. Both hands are shown holding an alms bowl, while on each side, a monk is portrayed paying homage. At the feet of the Buddha, an elephant is shown kneeling, while two monkeys are depicted offering honey cakes as alms.
There are 3,837 pagodas, temples and religious buildings in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone, and visitors can observe not only the main exhibition hall but also other things displayed inside the museum. — Dipa Lin/KTZH
