Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Thaung Tho

Beside the causeway to the big temple premises of Thaung Tho a cart with two ox plagues through the mud. Daily heavy rain changes all dirty ways into mud pits.

Thaung Tho is a scruffy premises but the local authorities try to redecorate the area to lure more visitors. We were the only visitors walking up to the holy center of the monastery.

In many countries, the nāga concept has been merged with local traditions of great and wise serpents or dragons. In Burma the nāga is rare but the Burmese nāga generally has the form of a great cobra-like snake, usually with a single head but sometimes with many. At least some of the nāgas are capable of using magic powers to transform themselves into a human semblance. In Buddhist painting, the nāga is sometimes portrayed as a human being with a snake or dragon extending over his head. One nāga, in human form, attempted to become a monk; when telling it that such ordination was impossible, the Buddha told it how to ensure that it would be reborn a man, able to become a monk.

There are lots of pagoda complexes but one caught my eye a few times. Like Inn Dein, Thaung Tho sits on a low hill, is surrounded by this white stupas and has a long covered walk leading to the summit.

A short walk to the mound of the temples and a foot path to the adjoining Monastery.

The stupas all in good order and the paths were regularly swept clean. Although weather-beaten, the white paint was brilliant under the noon sky. The gold paint trimmings were particularly nice.

Workers are building a new pagoda spent by residents.Thaung Tho is lovingly maintained.

The Golden Rock is one of the most famous and holy destinations in Burma located in the jungle in Kyaikhto Township of Mon State near the Thai boarder. A copy of this Golden Rock is built on the top of a pagoda in theThaung Tho monastery.

The Chinthe is a leogryph (lion-like creature) that is often seen at the entrances of pagodas and temples in Burma. The Chinthe is almost always depicted in pairs, and serve to protect the pagodas.

The girl is helping her mother carrying home fresh water. In Shan state there are living many of the Karen minority Pa'O. An other minority still living in Burma are the Padaung people, western tourist known as "long necks" or "giraffe women".

A lovely expression was shown by this cute girl, when we passed this Pa'O people returning home from their field work.

A short walk along the causeway to the mound of the temples and a foot path to the adjoining Monastery. Thaung Tho Pagoda Festival is held annually. This event is especially interesting for travelers who will get a unique chance to meet the local villagers of this area.

A muddy path goes down the pagoda hill from Thaung Tho. We countered the dweller on the oxbarrow and started to chat. Intha, Shan and Pa'O villagers living in Thaung Tho soince a long time in harmony, peace and freedom and celebrate the Thaung Tho Pagoda Festival annually.

The ox still is the working partner for almost all Burmese inhabitants but this could change very quickly to the modern alternative of using machines.

At least six different types of nets are known. Some of these nets are distinguished by the name of the fish which they are used in catching. There is the nga-yan-paik, the net for catching snakehead murrel, the nga-pein-paik, the Carp net and the nga-kon-ma-paik, the net for catching barbus saran fish.

The local resident just sells drinking water and sacrifice like incense sticks, candles and holy ribbons to offer to three Buddha images in this monastery.