Maha Aung Mye Bonzan monastery
Well preserved brick monastery from the Konbaung dynasty
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery is a fine example of Burmese monastery architecture during the Konbaung dynasty. The monastery, also known as the Brick Monastery is a well preserved building in ochre color. The very ornate structure is decorated with intricate stuccoed sculptures.
Residence of the Royal Abbott
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery was built by Queen Me Nu, wife of King Bagyidaw of the Konbaung dynasty in 1818 as the residence of the Royal Abbott. It is also known as Me Nu Oak Kyaung which translates to Me Nu’s brick monastery.
Brick building
During those days it was customary for monasteries to be build out of wood. Most wooden monasteries and Palaces have been destroyed by fires or have been very badly weathered.
The brick monastery was built in the same style as the wooden monasteries of its time. It has a multi tiered roof and its stucco ornamentations look like wood carvings that wooden monasteries were decorated with.
An inner passage way leads through the monastery building. Inside are several Buddha images.
Guarded by Chinthe
Two large Chinthes, the Burmese mythological lions, protect the entrance, as is the case with most Burmese temples. On the grounds of the monastery are a number of white stupas in different sizes topped with golden hti’s, a spire ornament in the shape of an umbrella. The monastery was damaged during the large 1838 earthquake and was renovated four decades later.
How to get to the Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery
The monastery is located in Innwa on the East bank of the Irrawaddy river, just South of Amarapura and some 20 kilometers from downtown Mandalay. The monastery is found a few hundred meters South of the Irrawaddy river in Innwa town. You can get to Innwa by private taxi from Mandalay or by boat from Sagaing across the river. To get around in Innwa you can hire an oxcart used as taxi.
Opening hours
The monastery is open daily during daylight hours.
Entrance fee
The Mandalay archaeological zone ticket at US$ 10 which is valid for a week gives access to the monastery as well as a number of other sites in Amarapura, Innwa and Sagaing and to the Shwenandaw Golden Monastery and Atumashi Pagoda in Mandalay.