Renovation plan for quake-hit Thatbyinnyu Temple in 2016 issued

The renovation plan of the quake-hit Thatbyinnyu Temple in 2016 has been worked out, an official of the Department of Archaeological and National Museum (Bagan Branch) told the Global New Light of Myanmar English daily (The GNLM).
Myanmar and China signed MoU to renovate the Thatbyinnyu Temple under a 108-month project term. It takes time as it is a huge building in Bagan and it needs to carry out the maintenance with the minimum of damage to the ancient style.
“The temple is one of the mega structures. It takes time because the experts have to work according to their respective sectors to conserve the original structure of the temple ensuring the stability and with the least damage to the ancient style. Initially, some parts of pagoda areas are being dug. Currently, the renovation plan has come out. Then, the operation will start. What will be there between the pagoda and the wall? The research is being conducted to know what things can be found in the compound. The temporary maintenance is completed and now the real permanent maintenance work begins. The temple is huge and the project is critical as it is a G-to-G agreement. We cannot say exactly when it will start. It is not sure whether to start in August. In addition, the experts of Myanmar, departmental experts, foreign experts and internationally skilled persons are discussing how to renovate the Thatbyinnyu Temple as quickly as possible”, said the official.
The leading committee on the renovation of quake-hit ancient pagodas, temples and religious buildings in the Bagan-NyaungU region was organized on 29 November 2016. It intends to conduct the repair of pagodas hit by the earthquake on 24 August 2016.
Then, the committee was reorganized as the Leading Committee on Renovation of Cultural Heritage in Bagan’s World Heritage Site on 14 February 2023.
Of 389 quake-hit pagodas, the pagodas except Thatbyinnyu Temple have been renovated in the first phase, according to the Department of Archaeological and National Museum (Bagan Branch). — (123)/KTZH