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It is an interesting and fascinating to
witness all the image chambers are tunneled into
the living rock and all the Buddha images,
alters and decorative motifs inside the cave are
all carved out of it.
There are also narrow galleries varying from 15
ft to 70 ft long and 10 ft to 25 ft high. Most
of them are 6 ft to 15 ft deep. The entrance of
the caves is decorated with traditional Myanmar
Kanot design, stylized leaves and flowers on the
vine.
Apart from
Shwe-ba-taung, there are two others, viz.,
Phan-ga-taung and Nwa-tho-taung, which are also
carved out of rocks. Many of these caves are
guarded by mythological lions. On top of cave
stands a white-washed stupa in striking contrast
to the black rock surface.
Small golden-furred
monkeys can be seen scampering around as they
did many centuries ago while the craftsmen are
working on the site. There are few figures of
monkeys peering out of the stone leaves.
Legend
This cave
resort was once said to be the abode of
a Zawgyi, an alchemist who possessed
supernatural powers. His name was U Po
Win. Since Zawgyi U Po Win achieved
success in the way of alchemy, became a
Zawgyi. Hence the name of the cave was
called PO-WIN-TAUNG. According to
Myanmar
folk lore, Zawgyis are all-powerful.
They can
fly, dive under water, arrive at any
place within a second, cure manifold
illnesses and diseases, turn base metals
into gold, relieve people from all kinds
of diseases and disasters, etc. Such
supernatural powers can be gained by
possessing powerful Dat-lone
(philosopher’s stone) or by Thamatha
Meditation by which one can attain
IDDHI, similar magical |
