Bagan: Earthquake-affected pagodas to be renovated
Among the earthquake-hit pagodas in Bagan, 50 temples will be renovated after the Thingyan water festival, according to the Archeology Research and National Museum Department.
Around 400 pagodas and ancient buildings were damaged as a result of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Bagan Archeological Region on the evening of August 24, 2016. The earthquake was centered 25 kilometers, west of Chauk Township in Magway Region.
Of the damaged pagodas, 224 temples are being renovated, with the renovation tasks to be completed before Thingyan.
“Renovation of 224 pagodas will be completed soon. There are three priorities regarding the maintenance of the temples. Our first priority is to renovate the earthquake-hit temples. So, we are going to start our renovation tasks after Thingyan festival. 19 temples including Myin Pya Cave are nearly completed,” said Aung Aung Kyaw, Director of National Museum Department (Branch) in Bagan.
“We have plans to renovate the pagodas, with the repair works of some stupas to be completed within one year. Some will be renovated after four years - for example, That Byin Nyu and Sulamuni pagodas,” said Aung Aung Kyaw.