4 March

Displaying for the purpose of showcasing the cultural heritages of India to the public, Photo Exhibition on the Chola Temples of India was opened at the National Museum in Dagon Township, Yangon Region, yesterday .

Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Saurabh Kumar, and Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Sumit Seth opened the exhibition titled “The Grandeur of Chola Temples” by cutting ceremonial ribbons, and then lighted oil lamps.

Mr. Saurabh Kumar then delivered a speech.

Afterwards, Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko gave a speech, saying India and Myanmar have a long and proud shared history filled with common aims for both peoples’ benefits.

Cultural exchange programmes are being conducted, and today’s event marks an important step in fostering the mutual understanding between India and Myanmar, preserving harmony and friendship related to different religions and faiths of the two nations, the Union Minster said.

Ms. Asawari Bapat, Director of the Culture Department of the Embassy of India, then explained about the Photo Exhibition on the Chola Temples of India.

Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko, Mr. Saurabh Kumar and officials then observed the photographs of Dravidian style of temple architecture on display at the event.

The opening ceremony was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, officials from the Embassy of India, ambassadors of foreign embassies in Myanmar and invited guests.

The archival photographs exhibition will last until 7 March, and entry is free of charge.

The Great Living Chola Temples are a group of Chola dynasty era temples built during 8th to 12th century CE. They are listed as a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1987, and represent an outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravidan (pyramid) type of temple.

The archival photographs exhibition was organized by the Embassy of India with support from India’s Ministry of Culture and in collaboration with the Centre for Art & Archaeology American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) and the National Museum (Yangon).—Min Thit (MNA)

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)