http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2038175-myanmar2-bagan/

Bagan (formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day. Anawrahta's Palace was rebuilt in 2003 based on the extant foundations at the old palace site. But the palace above the foundation is completely conjectural.

Bagan

The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main draw for the country's nascent tourism industry. According to the Burmese chronicles, Bagan was founded in the second century CE, and fortified in 849 CE. From 1044 to 1287, Bagan was the capital as well as the political, economic and cultural nerve center of the Pagan Empire. Over the course of 250 years, Bagan's rulers and their wealthy subjects constructed over 10,000 religious monuments (approximately 1000 stupas, 10,000 small temples and 3000 monasteries) in an area of 104 square kilometres (40 sq mi) in the Bagan plains.

The Pagan Empire collapsed in 1287 due to repeated Mongol invasions (1277–1301).

Bagan, located in an active earthquake zone, had suffered from many earthquakes over the ages, with over 400 recorded earthquakes between 1904 and 1975.

Today, 2229 temples and pagodas remain. Bagan today is a main tourist destination in the country's nascent tourism industry, which has long been the target of various boycott campaigns.

Traditional Myanmar music is played without notes. The orchestra leader plays the drum circle, sitting cross-legged inside a circular frame hung with 21 small drums. He tunes them by varying the amount of sticky rice and ash stuck in the middle of the ox-skin surface. He twists his torso to reach all his drums, which he strikes with his bare fingers. The gong circle is set beside it, in a smaller, lower frame. There can be 18 or 21 gongs, made of brass. The main drum (Patma) is clearly seen in the Saing Waing as the beam that has the carving of the dragon carries this drum.

Harp (internet image)

Orchestra (internet image)

Zebus (Bos primigenius indicus or Bos indicus or Bos taurus indicus), sometimes known as humped cattle or Brahman, are a type of domestic cattle originating in South Asia. They are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap. They are well adapted to withstanding high temperatures, and are farmed throughout the tropical countries, both as pure zebu and as hybrids with taurine cattle, the other main type of domestic cattle. Zebu are used as draught oxen, as dairy cattle and as beef cattle, as well as for by products such as hides and dung for fuel and manure

Myanmar being an agricultural country, human and cattle had been friends and colleagues for many centuries. In villages the cattle are treated as members of a household, given nicknames and decorated with tinkling bells and flashing mirrors, more in pride than necessity, when the family would visit a religious festival. And during the plowing season they toil shoulder to shoulder with their masters in the fields no matter the weather.

Most Myanmar Buddhists would also not eat beef. They regard the cattle as their benefactors and eating them would be cruel if not downright sacrilegious! And consequently in Myanmar there are no big ranches where cattle are raised to be slaughtered for meat. So for the farmers getting hold of a good working bullock is most important.

Great Audience Hall (Pyinsapathada) replica at the reconstructed palace of the 11th-century King Anawrahta. Considered the father of the Burmese nation, Anawrahta turned a small principality in the dry zone of Upper Burma into the first Burmese Empire that formed the basis of modern-day Burma (Myanmar).Historically verifiable Burmese history begins with his accession to the Pagan throne in 1044

Traditional orchestra (web image)

Bagan is known for its 2000 year old history as the royal city, and is particularly famous for handicrafts, like silk embroidery

Bagan is famous also for its beautiful lacquer ware

Text: InternetPictures and presentation: Sanda FoişoreanuCopyright: All the images belong to their authorswww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Yadanar Oo - Golden sea