In the last five years or so, I have developed a growing fascination to everyday life of Buddhist Monks. I have spent considerable amount of time watching them when they pray, work, seek alms or go through their daily chores.
It is also a happy coincidence that the countries I have visited exploring as a travel photographer in the last few years–Bhutan, Myanmar and Cambodia–have a thriving population of Buddhist Monks.
This image was made in Mandalay, Myanmar, the erstwhile capital of the Burmese Kings. Thanks to the patronage of these kings and subsequently from the general population, Mandalay is home to many monasteries and a large number of practicing and learning monks. This photograph was made early in the morning, before the sun came up in the east. This was the penultimate day of the photography tour I was leading in Myanmar. We had a few successive days of very-early morning outings, but despite that, decided that we should go out to watch the monks seeking alms in the morning hours. A short walk later, I found this bunch of young monks being lovingly fed by these restaurateurs. It’s a moment that has stayed strongly in my memory and I wanted to capture this as an image to share what I saw.
Also see: Our photography tour to Myanmar
For most visitors to Myanmar, Yangon is just a Port of Entry to arrive in the country. After a quick visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, they move on towards other destinations such as Inle Lake, Bagan or Mandalay. But there is much to do and see in Yangon other than Shwedagon Pagoda. Here is a quick guide to spending two days in the city.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon.
Yangon, Day 1
Start your day early in the Streets of Yangon. One of the most cherished experiences of Myanmar is watching the Buddhist monks and nuns walk silently in a line as they seek alms. They are normally out at the break of dawn with a small pot hanging on their shoulders. With a large number of monasteries spread across the country and very densely present in the cities, there is no specific place you need to wait for them. Just ask your hotel staff for the nearest place where they normally walk by. You can silently watch them come and go or follow them without disturbing them. Of course, you are welcome to contribute.
Not often have I seen man made landscapes being so beautiful. When the sun comes over 2000-odd pagodas that litter Bagan’s landscape and begins dispersing the gentle mist, it’s a miniature mountain-range that unfurls in front of you. The diffusing golden rays of the morning brighten the spires that stand well-above the trees and reveals a magical landscape, which, you will wish was eternal. There are no parallels to the beauty of Bagan.
