“An auspicious land.” Does that sound inviting? That is one translation of the name Mandalay. And here we are at Moe Htar Monastery. This place is more than just a building. It is a piece of a prophecy fulfilled.
Mandalay, despite its name sounding like an ancient fairy tale kingdom, is not very old. It became the capital in 1857. King Mindon founded it. He made it the capital of the last independent Burmese kingdom. The British conquered it in 1886.
King Mindon built Mandalay because of an old prophecy. It said a town would appear for Buddhism’s 2,400th jubilee. The city got its name from Mandalay Hill. People believed Lord Buddha said a great Buddhist city would arise at its foot. King Mindon made that happen.
On January 13 1857 King Mindon ordered a new kingdom to be established. He ruled from Amarapura then. July 1858 saw the Ceremony of Ascending the Throne. They called the royal city Lay Kyun Aung Mye. This means “Victorious Land over the Four Islands”. The royal palace was named Mya Nan San Kyaw or “The Royal Emerald Palace”. The kingdom was also called the Kingdom of Yadanabon. Another name was Ratanapura or “The Bejeweled Site “. Later, it became Mandalay. This came from Mandalay Hill, about 2.5km northeast of the palace. “Mandalay” comes from the Pali word “Mandala”. It means “a plains land”. It also comes from “Mandare” meaning “an auspicious land”. That is what Moe Htar Monastery stands on.
Back then, moving the capital meant moving everything. Buildings were wooden. So, they dismantled houses in the old capital. They loaded them onto carts and elephants. Then, they rebuilt them in the new capital.
King Mindon laid Mandalay’s foundation on the 6th waning day of Kason in 1857. He also laid foundations for seven things at once. These were the royal city walls, the moat, the Maha Lawka Marazein Stupa, and the Pahtan-haw Shwe Thein. Also included were the Atumashi monastery, the Thudhama Zayats and the Buddhist scripture library.
The royal moat was 68.58m wide and 3.35m deep when built. It got water from the Yadana Nadi, now the Ye Ni Canal. In 1995, they re-dug the moat. They laid the banks with rocks. There were once 20 gardens, a big earthen wall, and 57 palace doors. Five bridges crossed the moat. Now, there are four: U-hteik Bridge to the east, Kyaw Moe Bridge to the south, Kye Mon Bridge to the west and Lay Thein Bridge to the north.
King Mindon died. His son King Thibaw took the throne. In 1885, Myanmar became a British colony. Mandalay was the old capital. Only two kings ruled there. They were the last of Myanmar’s monarchs.
After conquering Mandalay in 1886 the British used the royal palaces as military headquarters. They renamed the complex Fort Dufferin. During World War II, the Japanese made a military camp there. Allied forces bombed it. Nothing was left of the old palace buildings.
Today, Mandalay blends modern and classic styles. The royal palace and moat show ancient cultural beauty. Mandalay Hill adds natural beauty. Modern houses and brick buildings add new architecture. The old palace ground is now Fort Mandalay. Some concrete replicas of the old palaces exist. They are still reconstructing more.
Mandalay is a center of Myanmar culture. It was outstanding in the past. It still is now. It will remain a place of pride. The name “Mandalay” itself carries the sense of auspiciousness. It is a fitting name for a city with such a rich history.
Moe Htar Monastery stands as a testament to Mandalay’s enduring spirit. It connects us to the past. It reminds us of the prophecy. It inspires us with the vision of King Mindon. May this auspicious land continue to thrive.