Memoirs of Visit to Burma

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, It borders India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), is the country's largest city. It is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes.   The towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century, and the Siva Subramanian temple constructed by Chettiars are sights to see.

Capital: Naypyidaw

Currency: Burmese kyat

President: Htin Kyaw

Official language: Burmese

 We visited only Yangon and spent 3 nights and 4 days

 Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the former capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma). A mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline. Its famed Shwedagon Paya, a huge, shimmering pagoda complex, draws thousands of pilgrims annually. The city's other notable religious sites are the Siva Subramanian temple in Cambay and the Murugan temple in the Nagarathar Aru Arai

Area: 231.2 mi²

Local time: One hour ahead of IST

Weather: Rainy in Jun,Jul, August

Population: 5.21 million (2014)

The trip to Rangoon was organized by Mr.Jaya Subramanian of KL ably assisted by his associate Vairavan. Mr. Jaya Subramanian is a Stratigic Consultant and is a Director of two Australian Companies. He seem to have been visiting Burma for over a decade and knows all the places. We found him to be a good soul. Mr. Vairavan is a retired Vice President of a local bank in Malaysia. He seem to be visiting Burma for over seven years

Given below is their photo. Mr.Jaya Subramanian on the extreme left and Vairavan on the Right.

Kasi Chandramouli, Annamalai and myself went from Kanadukathan. Mr.Ramu from Coimbatore, his wife Valliammai, daughters Karishna and Alagu joined us at Trichi Airport. Altogether seven of us took the Malindo flight from Trichi to KL. From KL we took another flight in the same airlines to Rangoon now known as Yangon. We were given two boarding passes each. One for the KL flight and the other for the Yangon flight. Checked bags were directly booked to Yangon.

We  reached KL after 3hrs 45 minutes flight. As there were lot of clouds the flight was turbulent. We reached KL airport in the small hours of Indian time. It was around 6 a.m. local time. After freshening up we took coffee and sandwiches. All currencies, American and Singapore dollars, and Euros were accepted in the coffee shop. But the exchange rate was low. Of course Malaysian Ringets were accepted without any discount.

This Picture was taken inside the aircraft

Departure to Yangon was in Gate No.8 which was in another terminal. We took the aero train and reached the departure gate. Flight to Yangon was at 10.20 a.m local time. There was a lay over of approximately 4hrs 30 minutes.

We did not have a Malaysian Visa as we were only Transit Passengers both while going and returning. We travelled only with a Visa to Burma, now known as Myanmar. It was an electronic visa organized by the travel agent Mr. Muthuraman who operates from Madurai. We found him to be efficient.

One good thing was that both Mr.Jaya Subramanian and Muthuraman were replying our Whatsapp messages promptly and made communication easy. 

As we booked our air tickets as a group well in advance  it was cheap. The Malindo flight was good. Boing 737 aircraft was used for all the four flights. Also food was served even though it was a low cost flight

There was about 4½  hours waiting in KL airport. We utilized the time to go round the airport and the numerous shops.

To be on the safer side all of us moved together as the airport was huge and had two terminals.

The picture above was taken by Kasi Chandramouli at KL airport. Annamalai and myself with Mrs.&Mr. Ramu and his two daughters Krishna and Alagu.

Vijaya Achi and Meenal Achi joined in KL

Burmese time is one hour ahead of Indian Standard time. We reached Yangon by about 11.40 a.m. local time

On reaching Yangon we were met by Mr. Vairavan , an associate of Mr. Jaya Subramanian, outside the airport. There was an air-conditioned coach waiting.

We were not disturbed by rain. There were only intermittent drizzles. Each one of us were presented with an umbrella, which we carried to India. Understand Corruption is not a Crime in this country.

We were taken to a Marble Buddhist temple and then to see the so called white elephant. The elephant was not really white, but slightly brownish. Packed Vegetable Biriyani with potatoes and tomato pickle were served as Lunch there.

Then we checked into Orchid hotel situated in 91, Anawrahta Road. It was around 3.p.m. The travel time could not be estimated properly as there was a lot of Traffic Jam We took a triple room for Kasi Chandramouli, Annamalai and myself. Though the hotel was good, as a hotelier, I could notice several areas which could be improved.

1. Hot water shower was good, except in some rooms.
2. The quality of water was poor. It had a muddy color
3. There was no exhaust in the bath room. Bad odour was emanating and we had to keep the bathroom door closed.
4. The split air conditioner provided was not sufficient to cool the triple room.
5. The breakfast served was cold on all days.
6. House Keeping was good.

Wood Carving in the reception of the hotel

We came out of the hotel after about an hour’s rest and proceeded to the Shwaedagon Pagoda. This together with the Sivasubramanian Temple was the highlight of the trip.

There were lots and lots of things to see in the pagoda. The most important thing was the 99.36 metres tall Pagoda. We went round the place for several hours and took photographs.

As this was the only program for the evening, enough time was available. So we waited till the lights were put on. The Sthupi looked wonderful under lights.

It is said that about 500 kilos of gold was used

Thousands of people visit the Pagoda every day.

    Shewdagon Pagoda

From about BC 588 to 14^th century the Shwedagon was maintained by 32 kings of the Okkalapa dynasty. From 1372 AD by king Banya and others. In 1453 AD Queen Shin Saw Pu raised it to a height of 302 feet. In 1774 king Sinbyushin rebuilt it to a height of 326 feet 99.36 metres. It stands giajantic now.

We came out of the Pagoda around 7.00 p.m. and went straight for dinner. We were served hot Stuffed parota and chappathis. Food was good.

●       We drove back to the hotel and retired around 9.p.m. As we had a sleepless previous night, we could take good rest and nice sleep. Only thing that I missed was local sim card which I could put in my mobile which had all the contact numbers. The organisers77 NJin offered a mobile with a local sim. I did not take.

There was free Wi-Fi in the hotel and we could make WhatsApp calls.

Next morning we assembled around 7.a.m. The organizers had arranged for some idlis in addition to the continental breakfast which was complementary.

We were first taken to 170 years old Pasumantan temple at Chowthan constructed by chettiars and now maintained by local tamilian hindus called Nattars. The President and the secretary met us. A pooja was conducted and we were given Kaalanji. We were happy to learn that Tamil was being taught there. Soora Samharam seem to be celebrated well here.

We then drove a long way to the Amman temple.  There was Vilakku Poojai  .

Vilakku Poojai

We could observe that they were keeping a full bunch of bananas in every plate, where as we use to keep only two plantains in addition to other things like coconut and flowers.    

Following this we were taken to Veerayya Temple. It is believed whenever something is stolen or lost, people come and appeal to Veerayya. The god will destroy the thief if he does not return the stolen materials. Most of the local people believe this, come and offer prayers.

Free food is served to all the devotees who come to the temple. Rice, Sambar and Two Curries were served.  It was very delicious. Half a litre of mineral water was also given free.

In fact we did not buy any water during the trip as water was supplied free in the bus that was engaged to carry us.  It came along with the bus.  

We then came back to the hotel where Mr. Jaya Subramanian joined us. He could not join us on the first day. We then went to buy mat. I was anxiously waiting for this. There was not much of choices and the ones available were not up to my expectations. I could not buy. Also there were no shops selling mat near by.

We then went to Aaru Arai at Mogul Street and met  Mr. Ramanathan Chettiar of Natarajapuram. We could see lot of Safes used by Chettiars in the past. Now the Aaru Arai ( Six Rooms ), the connected properties, and a huge area consisting of a temple and a Madam seem to be under the administration of Ramanathan Chettiar.

It is learnt that the shops and the safes are now rented out to meet the expenses. We had a long chat with Mr. Ramanathan Chettiar who explained the history since the wartime. Mr. Ramu from Coimbatore also comes from Natarajapuram. They talked about several common friends.

Mogul street and the Aaru Arai was the place where the Chettiars were doing business in Rangoon prior to the Japanese Invasion. Ramanathan Chettiar said that they started with the traditional business of Banking and slowly shifted to agriculture.

Mr.Ramanathan Chettiar who administers the temple, Aru Arai and the associated properties. 

Shown below is the Murugan temple in Aru Arai

The group that travelled to Rangoon photographed with Ramanathan Chettiar

We then took dinner at Chetty restaurant run by a Christian. Service was fast and the food was good. Went back to the hotel at about 9.30.p.m.

On the penultimate day morning we assembled at 7.a.m. After breakfast we went to the Scott Market. It is a huge market selling Rubies, Textiles and many other things. Lot of time was spent in the market. Then we went to the Nagarathar Madam and the temple. Met Kannappa Chettiar a former banana leaf merchent. The Madam is a huge place like a Chettiar house in chettinad. At one time the temple and the Madam happened to be in one compound. Now the highway has come in between, and the temple is separated from the Madam. Still it is said to be three acres.

I felt it could be maintained better.

It is said that some chettiars offered to repair and maintain them spending their money. Time has to come.

In the evening we went to the newly opened department store called City Market.

Dinner was in a good restaurant called Fusion where multinational food was available.

On the last day after breakfast, the accounts were settled. Mr. Jaya subramanian had advanced 70,000 Kyats (Local Burmese Currency)  to each person to enable him buy whatever they wanted. The unspent Kyats were returned. The value of the spent money was given in American dollars. 

We then set of to the airport. On the way we visited Canbay where there is a beautiful Siva Subrmaniar Temple.

The temple was constructed by Chettiars in the 19^th century,  The land seem to have belonged to Nattars. When a dispute arose, they seem to have handed over the temple to the Nattars (Knatives)

Visit to the temple was unforgettable. This is one of the highlights of our visit to Rangoon.

At Rangoon Airport

Mr.Jayasubramanian and his associate were with us till we checked in. Our flight to KL was at 12.25 hrs. We reached KL airport at 4.50 pm local time. Again we had to take the aero train to go to the departure gate for boarding to Trichi.

We took some Indian food in a Japanese restaurant. It was very delicious

Our flight to Trichi was around 9.20 pm Malaysian time. We reached Trichi airport around 10.30 hrs IST.

On the whole the trip was good. The Malindo airways provided Boeing 737 aircraft for all the four sectors. It was on time. The organisers were also friendly. Above all the members of the group were very cooperative.

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