A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

CHAPTER XIX.
A Divine
Despotism.
A FEW miles north of Mandalay there is fascinating
country round Taung-Byon and Madaya'. It requires,
however, more than usual fortitude to face the railway
journey, and therefore this quiet area, with its villages,
pagodas and tamarind trees, is known only to the
adventurous. The tiny train drawn up near the
Zegyo Market, sets out on its reckless run of 16 miles
in three hours, by wallowing along the smeUiest drains
of Mandalay, until, beyond Obo, it passes reluctantly
into clean open country, and follows the bank of a small
canal. Hundreds of people use this canal in August
when they go by boat to the festival at Taung-Byon,
and cheer the train, and bet on their chances of
beating it. It is a gay and pretty scene ; and the
narrow canal is shaded with Htanaung Bin trees,
whose quaintly twisted Umbs are so typical of Upper
Burma. Early in the rains the white Pagodas stand
amidst flaming Gold Mohur. Rice fields, and the
floods of the Irrawaddy, stretch away into the
distance.
The annual festival at Taung-Byon is a great Nat
celebration, which affords a welcome interlude of
' Map Square D. J.