Western Part of Myanmar.

The early writings have named the Rakhine State that abounds in rice and water. The Rakhine is said to have originated in Dhanyawady; Dhanyawady era started in BC 3325. The Rakhine history has said that the Rakhine fought and occupied India several years ago and named and governed the Western Rakhine. The successive Rakhine kings had waged a series of Bengal-Rakhine wars. Under the King Minkha Moung(1612-22) the Rakhine Army and Naval forces had reached the largest position, and that dominant position led to the annexation of Ganges delta region of India. The Indians put under servitude by the Rakhine Kings were brought along to the Rakhine region. The British annexed the Rakhine land in the wake of First Anglo-Burmese War in 1952.

The Rakhine region was the place where the Buddha Sasana well propagated even during the life-time of the Lord Buddha. After the final passing away of the Buddha, in accordance with His prophecy 248 relics of the Buddha had been encased in pagodas for worship throughout the region.

Rakhines have their origins in the north-east region bordering with India. The early occupants of the north-east region of India were called Rakshas. Rakkhite and Rakshas are related words. The features, dialects, characters and cultures of Rakhines are very much similar to those of the Indian descendants. Rakhine means the ones who protect the fellow tribe. The Rakhines figuratively use the expression ‘ the father land of Rakhine’. This expression is surprisingly similar to those of the German, the French, the Iranian and Korean. According to the Rakhine custom only the father who decides everything and the father’s admonitions have to be followed.

There has been feeble historical evidence of the masses revolted against the Rakhine Kings. On the contrary, the foreign aggression had been repelled, consolidating the internal strength. The erection of pagodas and monasteries accompanied by digging ponds together with the evidence of preservation of tradition is seen more widely than in other parts of the region. Just because the Rakhine kings had not exercised the religious segregation apart from the Buddhist pagodas, there existed Islamic mosques. There are several Nat worshippers in the Rakhine region, oblation ceremonies had been performed since the ancient Rakhine Kings. There had been a tradition of dancing Nat dances and singing Nat songs. Nat-worshipping ceremonies are usually held for favorable weather and a good yield of crops.

Rakhine folk dances, amusing water festival, boat race, wrestling matches and all-the-year round festivals have traditionally been held.

Situated along the coastal area, the Rakhine State gets very heavy rainfall with over 200ft a year. In the pre and past rainy season the storm from the Bay of Bengal may cause hazard to the area. Floods caused by high tide usually cover the alluvium with salt-water. The cold season (Oct to Feb) is the care-free period.

There are 44 islands along the Rakhine coast line. In many islands, production of salt becomes popular. Solar heated salt-pans mines can also be visible. It is far easier to eat salt than it is very hard to produce solar heated salt. It has not been long that the prawn breeding enterprises come into importance. It is due to this circumstance the tidal forests have been destroyed at the same time the breeding enterprise fetches good income.

Sittwe

Sittwe city fell at the earliest time under the British when the British began to attack Myanmar and thus; it may be called the ancient British city. The feature of the inhabitants betrays the dominance of the Indian form.

Prior to becoming Sittwe it was merely an island. It was said to be island where the outpost and naval forces were stationed by the Rakhine Kings. The capital then was Mrauk U. The British, to be able to occupy Mrauk U, stationed their naval forces on that island by taking foothold of it. There is a pagoda called Arr Kyab Taw upon the long ridge. Arakan was named after Arr Kyab and from thence it changed into ‘Akyab’. The Arr Kyab Taw Pagoda betrays ancient artistry and, therefore, a visit is recommended. The British style office building, clock tower, light-house, harbor, circuit house and jail and dwelling houses can still be visible. The most prominent in Sittwe are the light-house and Point, the farther end of edge of the city and the right and left side of it has sea frontage. Adjacent to the Point stands a light-house with 15ft in breadth at the bottom and 50ft in height. Sittwe light-house was built in 1844 and the biggest of the eight numbers along the Rakhine coastline. In the east of the view from the top of the Point, there the tip of the Phayon Kar Island disappears into the sea. The view at the left shows the Sittwe Hotel and the sand beach; there stands beautifully the Sittwe Hotel amidst the casuarinas and the lines of coconut trees.

The Pyilone Chanthar Pagoda, built in1910, can be visited. The Sittwe city having stood at the mouth of the sea where the three rivers, the Kalardan River, May Yu River and Lay Myo River, meet at the up and down journeys can be made by ships as well as by air to the mainland.

From Sittwe to Mrauk U

Travel from Sittwe to Mrauk U where the Rakhine Kings erected their palaces can be made by the ships of the Internal Water Transport or the private ships or charter ships. The ships run along from Sat Yoe Kya Creek and from thence to Kalardan called Kispanady River, and stop at Mrauk U port, having made up-river voyage to the Lay Myo River. By the protection of the rivers and by the shelter of the mountains visible along the river side Mrauk U region would have been well-fortified and well-consolidated.

The voyage from Sittwe to Mrauk U takes about 4 hours. However, one day will not suffice for historical research tour. One morning will have to spend for a visit by car to Kyauktaw and Mahamuni Pagoda and ancient Wai Thar Li City.

Mrauk U means the city at the northernmost part of the Rakhine region. The Mrauk U era lasted for 355 years and it was destroyed by King Bagyidaw in AD 1785.

The wall round the ancient city at the entrance of the Mrauk U is not very far from the harbor. The wall of the head of the city betrays its very existence with dilapidation. Big and small hotels stand at the entrance to the city. Going into the wall around the city, you will see the houses of small and large sizes in the valley of high and low ridges. The Mrauk U market is just beside the traffic road and you can pay a visit. Different from Bagan scene, the Mrauk U stands in the dale. Bagan seems to be on the sand beach.

One can see the cultural museum of Mrauk U at the gate of the Palace city wall. The wall is actually not of high and large one; it is only 6ft in height, and some places it is only 8ft in height. The stair up to the wall of the palace wall is of substance, but not as high enough as the wall of the Mandalay palace. The reason was thought to have the walls sunk into the ground. The wall all around the city is about one mile. The image of the Guardian Nat of the city excavated has been on display. The presence of the structures within the city wall leads one think that they have been built above the city wall. The brick plates had been laid upon layer by layer without having used cements. Pots, vessels, plates, spoons etc excavated are also on display in the museum. Besides, the ancient large glazed pots which remain intact can also be seen. Also on public show are coins used in Dhanyawady Era. Strange enough to see are that the works of the Buddha’s images carved out of stone bear Indian cultural influences.

Pagodas of Mrauk U have been carved sheer solid rock and left un-gilt since early-days appeared to have been built as a mark of successful inauguration to kingship. The reason seemed to be that there had been no practice of it just like the Bagan period.

Shitthaung Pagoda, perched on the hill of 80ft in height was built in 1535. Creative architect had made for the worshippers coming out of the cave to be able to enjoy the light and air to their heart’s content, and for the harmony of sight as well. The sunset at Shitthaung Pagoda though without the accompaniment of Ayeyarwady River renders, visitors to be able to enjoy the works of outstanding artistic merit of the pagodas at twilight upon the small hill about a hundred yards, there stands Dukkan Thein Pagoda which can be visible. And, Andawthein Shrine, as well, can be seen in close range. Red dust of earth, green mountain ranges, bronzed-colored pagodas all together blend well in the evening at sunset.

The next day, you can pay a visit to Kyauktaw that is 27 miles away from Mrauk U, where Mahamuni Pagoda sits. It was the merit of King Sanda Thuriya who ascended the throne in BC 580. The heavy huge steps of brick with narrow rungs of stone betray the ancient workmanship. On return journey from Kyauktaw Mahamuni Pagoda visitors can visit Wai Thar Li ancient city to observe the pagoda and the traces of the ancient Wai Thar Li. The journey from Mrauk U to the Mahamuni Pagoda takes only three hours.

You can also go to Kyauk Taw by boat making up-river voyage along the course of the Kalardan River from Sittwe and again from Kyauk Taw to Mrauk U. However, there is no feery-boat to Kyauk Taw daily.

Ngapali Beach

Before Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beach resorts were opened, Ngapali was the prettiest beach. Up till now, it is unequalled by any. Myanmar coastline lies 1500 miles in length and out of which Rakhine coastline occupies 350 miles in length. There are daily flights from Yangon to Thandwe and Sittwe to Thandwe. If the flights have been cancelled under some circumstances, visitors rely on Taunggoat- Pyay Road passing over mountain ranges. The contraction of Taunggoat-Pyay Road started in 1962, having made through mountain ranges and valleys with difficulty, completed only in 1971. The road being built along the side of mountain, the fields stretched out as far as we can see from the top.

From Ngapalia visit can also be made to Lontha which is situated at beach, wherein the fish industry stands. Lontha, the well-known bay, is naturally prominent in Thandwe district. Lontha beach is hidden in the shape of a curve and a place of refuge for fishing boats. Among motorboats stopping at Lontha beach, one can see a strange kind of gigs made of cane. They are rowed by oars, traveling in the sea. They having agility were said to be used by the Rakhine navy in battles.

Thandwe

Thandwe town had been an important port under Rakhine Kings. The one who had been granted the revenues of the town had to be the most trusted minister. The town was the second largest one. It is the town which the British entered earliest and ruled and the ancient houses of the high British officials are still in existence.

From Thandwe to Taunggoat Journey

Travel from Thandwe to Taunggoat takes at least 4 hours, the distance between them being 50 miles. The most ordinary things along the Taunggoat road are the nipa palms. They have been grown for production. They also grow naturally by the riverside wherein the salt-water flows in. Their leaf stalks and yards, they are appropriate to be cut down when the trees reach the age of three years. The trees give high yield of juice in September and October. The taste of nipa juice is good. The nipa trees are widely used for the roofs and shelters of the houses and the business of making thatch of nipa palm leaves when their agriculture works come to a stop.

Along the Taunggoat road the deer and sambur meat are available. The forest in Rakhine region is a happy hunting ground for the hunters.