A collection of ancient pagodas

= Nadi Nain =

Shan State itself in reality is a visitors’ paradise where natural wonders like Mamsang falls and Pindaya caves, ancient pagodas such as Indain pagodas and Bawgyo Pagoda, historic landmarks like Pin Lon monument and Gokhtaik viaduct, beautiful towns as Kalaw and Pindaya, unique cultural regions like Inle and tribal areas, can be found together with many other interesting places.

The largest province in Myanmar also has many hidden secrets, and Kakku pagodas are one of them as they were rediscovered not long ago compared to their age which according to some documents is over 800 years. Lying in the area 33 miles from regional capital Taunggyi, a splendid collection of pagodas of various sizes and shapes numbering over 2000 are well preserved and kept hidden by Pa-O people living in the area. These pagodas also bear witness to the religious devotion of Pa-O people one the ethnic minorities of Myanmar. Mostly farmers Pa-O are not only religious Buddhists, but they in some cases are also incomparable in generosity, always willing to donate half of their income for the promotion, perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana.

Some ancient treatises even say that the story of Kakku pagodas begins in the 3th century B.C during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of India; and that they linked with the 84000 pagodas the great Indian king had built along with 84000 wells and 84000 water supplying and storing lakes in his mission for the promotion and propagation of Buddhism in India and beyond. Another legend says that King Alaungsithu, a powerful king of Bagan dynasty of Myanmar built a pagoda during his visit to the area in the 12th century A.D. It is now called the Phaung Daw Saik Pagoda or the main stupa. It also said that local Pa-O people added more pagodas at the place in the later years making it a religious ground where a collection of stupas can be found in a single venue that is roughly one square kilometer in area.

For many Kakku pagodas their outer adornment is uncomplicated, almost sparse as the original builders might have concentrated only on pure grace and form for effect. But there are also pagodas with decorations of intricate patterns of arabesques and stems. A number of figures carved in stucco and apparently originally brightly painted are attractive. Many of the pagodas contain antique Buddha images, celestial beings, musicians, dancers all shaped with great artistic talent.

Their location which is in a remote place of southern Shan State and the nature of sincere and conservative locals who in general wish to live in peace away from outsiders have helped preserve these ancient pagodas and their priceless sculptures and artistic works for a very long time. Thanks to the locals we can now visit Kakku an invaluable heritage our forefathers had created with greater creativity and vision.

As Kakku pagodas have become one of the most visited sites of Shan State, the income of Mwaytaw village where they are located and its surrounding areas are also rising thanks to the direct and indirect earnings from new businesses prospering in the region. A large number of pilgrims come to pay obeisance to the pagodas in mid March during their annual festival.

As these collection of pagodas have lived for centuries thanks to local Pa-O people who have been caring and keeping the religious ground for many years, and till now, a surge of visitors to this religious ground may have some negative impacts like garbage problems, wear and tear problems, other environmental and pollution problems and even theft.

Moreover Kakku pagodas are also included in the many ancient heritages our country have. So, we must always take into account their perpetuation which must be done through active conservation movements, careful restoration and renovation programs, safer protection measures, broader public awareness campaigns, pragmatic plans for regional economic development, and effective support for locals taking care of the stupas.

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