THE ancient Buddha’s footprint in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region, has become famous this year, and many pilgrims have visited there, according to an official from the Hlegu Township News Group.

There are currently some pilgrims visiting the ancient Buddha’s footprint on a mountain near Kanni village, Sarbutaung village-tract in Hlegu Township, through the pilgrimage packages offered by some travel companies, as well as those who visit on their own.

“It’s more popular, and it’s quite famous now. It’s crowded. We heard that wishes made with resolution have been fulfilled. People from around Yangon and the surrounding areas come to visit,” he said.

After visiting the site on Myanmar’s New Year in April, writer and historian U Bone Tint Kyaw commented that spirals on the toes looked like delicate conch shells made in the Pyu era because the sizes of the toes were not the same as the big toe to the little toe. In contrast, they were usually the same in the later Bagan era.

The Buddha’s marks made with sandstone were abraded, and a similar footprint was found in the ancient Pyu City of Ingapu Township, Ayeyawady Region. Therefore, U Bone Tint Kyaw suggested that this sculpture was a Pyu-era work, dating back over 1,200-2,000 years ago, he added.

Some scholars remarked it could be a work in the Nyaungyan or Inwa era. Nevertheless, they unanimously say that it is an ancient Buddha’s footprint sculpture, so it should be preserved. He also noted that the location of the footprint, which is a valuable ancient work, is easily accessible by road.

MT/ZN

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