WD540(38)

‘Painramic view) of Umeerapoora. Looking S.E.’

THIS division includes an exceedingly elaborate and imposing group of Pagodas, Kyoums and brick Tzoums, together with numerous private dwellings of the better class which are roofed with wood.

Between the very elegant, large and gilt pagoda, which rises above the other buildings, and the next temple to the south, will be observed a lower building, having a square gilt spire and gable, terminating in the customary pinnacle and Tee. This very beautifully ornamented and gilt Tzoum, one amongst the more attractive objects of the city, a favourite resort of the .Brahmins, and called the ‘Seckya-te-ya-phiya’, (or Chekya (Sakya) Munee of ‘Report’) was built by the late King, and contains a gigantic copper figure of Gautma, which, including the pedestal, is about twenty four feet in height. ‘(See Capt. Tripe’s Photograph No. 51, and Report page 175).’

The large brick building in the centre, to the right of the palm tree, is a Kyoum, or Monastery, of more than ordinary dimensions and importance. Between all these buildings is seen the Lake Toung-um-mah, spanned at further extremity of the picture by the long wooden bridge already noticed (Plate 34). Looking across the Lake, midway between the Seckya-te-ya-phiya and the large brick monastery, and intersected by a Tugoon-dyn, or Henza-post, may be dimly seen a long line of building. This was the outer enclosure of the British Residency, built expressly for the reception and accommodation of the Mission.

Beyond the Lake is a continuation of the eastern mountains, which here occupy a more receding position. Near the centre of the range, and partially intersected by the gilt spire of the Seckya-te-ya-phiya, will be observed, high above the rest, a bluff promontary-like head. This is the ‘Ku-ee-na-par’ (or Buffaloe’s nose) which appears to give its name to that portion of the mountain chain. On a visit made by the Secretary Capt. Yule, Dr. Forsyth, and Professor Oldham, to the neighbourhood of these hills, the Lake was found connected by a channel with the winding stream of the ‘Myit-nge’ river, which wanders about the valley at their feet. ‘(Report, page 215-216.)’

The street running diagonally through the picture is a continuation of the Yattan. The colossal Lions on the left hand side, forming the customary warders to temple entrances, must be above twenty feet in height. One only is perfect; the plaster of the other having fallen off and left only a mass of shapeless brickwork.