Dhanyawadi
Encyclopedia
Dhanyawadi was a town
in Northern Rakhine State
, Myanmar
.
The site is approximately 80 miles north by north east of Sittwe
, and lies between the Kaladan River
and Thare Chaung (Thare Stream). Like much of Northern Rakhine State, it is in a hilly locale. Much of it is now deserted, with the only signs of civilisation being the stalls around the Maha Muni and meditation centres, opened to cater to the influx of pilgrims to the Maha Muni temple ( not the Maha Muni Image
)
The site can be reached by a one and a half to two hours bus ride from Mrauk U
. Up until the mid 1950s, Dhanyawadi could also be reached by boat from the Thare Chaung, but pollution and silting has almost blocked the canal leading to the site.
Dhanyawadi was the capital of the first historically accurate Arakanese Kingdom. The name is a corruption of the Pali
word Dhannavati, which means "Blessed with grain". Like much of its descendants, the Kingdom of Dhanyawadi was based on trade between the East (pre-Pagan Myanmar, China, the Mons), and the West (India, Bengal, Persia).
The city-walls form a perimeter of roughly 10 kilometers, defining the city to about 4.5 square kilometers. Remains of the citywall, and the palace compound are still visible.
It is the most Indianized of the four Arakanese Kingdoms to emerge. Although local legend and folklore claim that the Kingdom of Dhanyawadi existed before the time of the Buddha
( before 6th Century BC), most archaeological evidence points to a period between the 4th and the 6th Century AD.
The most prominent Buddhist site is the Maha Muni Temple. According to local legend, the Buddha visited Dhanyawadi during his life. In Dhanyawadi, the noblemen and the affluent donated their wealth and possessions (mainly gold and silver), to be melted and cast into an image of the Buddha. The Buddha is said to have provided seven drops of his sweat, taken from his chest, and the drops were added to the molten metals. This allowed the Maha Muni Image, once cast, to be able to preach the Dhamma.
When Arakan fell to the Burmese in 1785, the Burmese tried to take away the statue back to Amarapura
- then, their royal capital. But, here, Burmese and Arakanese sources diverge. The Arakanese claim that the Buddha image disappeared - either from the temple, or when the Burmese tried to load it onto an awaiting barge at Thare Chaung. The Burmese, on the other hand, claim that they transported the Maha Muni back to their capital (which was then moved later to Mandalay). But some Burmese academics are now supporting the fact that the Maha Muni never left Rakhine state.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Northern Rakhine State
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
.
The site is approximately 80 miles north by north east of Sittwe
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
, and lies between the Kaladan River
Kaladan River
The Kaladan River is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine State of western Myanmar. It forms the international border between India and Burma between 22° 47′ 10" N and 22° 11′ 06" N.-Geography:The river arises in central Chin State as the Timit, 22° 49′ 28″ N ...
and Thare Chaung (Thare Stream). Like much of Northern Rakhine State, it is in a hilly locale. Much of it is now deserted, with the only signs of civilisation being the stalls around the Maha Muni and meditation centres, opened to cater to the influx of pilgrims to the Maha Muni temple ( not the Maha Muni Image
Mahamuni Buddha
The Mahamuni Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Burma . The Mahamuni Buddha image is deified in this temple, and originally came from Arakan...
)
The site can be reached by a one and a half to two hours bus ride from Mrauk U
Mrauk U
Mrauk U is an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is also the capital of Mrauk-U Township, a sub region of the Sittwe District. It was the capital of Mrauk U Kingdom, the most important and powerful Rakhine kingdom from 1433 to 1784.-Geography:Mrauk U lies...
. Up until the mid 1950s, Dhanyawadi could also be reached by boat from the Thare Chaung, but pollution and silting has almost blocked the canal leading to the site.
Dhanyawadi was the capital of the first historically accurate Arakanese Kingdom. The name is a corruption of the Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
word Dhannavati, which means "Blessed with grain". Like much of its descendants, the Kingdom of Dhanyawadi was based on trade between the East (pre-Pagan Myanmar, China, the Mons), and the West (India, Bengal, Persia).
The city-walls form a perimeter of roughly 10 kilometers, defining the city to about 4.5 square kilometers. Remains of the citywall, and the palace compound are still visible.
It is the most Indianized of the four Arakanese Kingdoms to emerge. Although local legend and folklore claim that the Kingdom of Dhanyawadi existed before the time of the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
( before 6th Century BC), most archaeological evidence points to a period between the 4th and the 6th Century AD.
The most prominent Buddhist site is the Maha Muni Temple. According to local legend, the Buddha visited Dhanyawadi during his life. In Dhanyawadi, the noblemen and the affluent donated their wealth and possessions (mainly gold and silver), to be melted and cast into an image of the Buddha. The Buddha is said to have provided seven drops of his sweat, taken from his chest, and the drops were added to the molten metals. This allowed the Maha Muni Image, once cast, to be able to preach the Dhamma.
When Arakan fell to the Burmese in 1785, the Burmese tried to take away the statue back to Amarapura
Amarapura
Amarapura is a former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay. Amarapura is bounded by the Ayeyarwady river in the west, Chanmyathazi township in the north, and the city of Innwa in the south...
- then, their royal capital. But, here, Burmese and Arakanese sources diverge. The Arakanese claim that the Buddha image disappeared - either from the temple, or when the Burmese tried to load it onto an awaiting barge at Thare Chaung. The Burmese, on the other hand, claim that they transported the Maha Muni back to their capital (which was then moved later to Mandalay). But some Burmese academics are now supporting the fact that the Maha Muni never left Rakhine state.