THE renovation of the 170-year-old Maha Min Htin Wooden Mon­astery in Mandalay, which was damaged by the Mandalay earth­quake, will be completed within nine months, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museums (Mandalay Branch) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.

The restoration will be car­ried out with donations from the Japanese people and Aeon Corporation (Japan), and nine months have been set for the renovation and conservation work, according to U Aung Kyi Soe, a central executive member of the Union of Myanmar Feder­ation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

Under the close supervision of the Mandalay Region Gov­ernment and the Department of Archaeology and National Museums (Mandalay Branch), the project will be implemented with a donation of K850 million from AEON Co Ltd (Japan) and the Japanese public, in collabo­ration with the UMFCCI and the Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ancient buildings and pago­das in the areas of Innwa, Pin­ya, Myinsaing and Makkhaya, including the Maha Min Htin Monastery, were affected by the Mandalay earthquake.

The Maha Min Htin Monas­tery was originally built in the old town of Innwa in 1852 by Maha Min Hla Min Kyaw U Min Htin and was later relocated to Man­dalay in 1876. — ASH/MKKS