The romantic East: Burma, Assam, & Kashmir - Khamkoo

94 THE ROMANTIC EAST
a floor of marble and encaustic tiles laid in squares,
and a ceiling with nine coffers, also supported
so as
to admit light from under the eaves. The shrine
has six pillars encrusted with glass,
and contains
two standing images of heroic size robed in gilt
and
jewelled gowns, while at their feet kneel three
worshippers, also in gilt and jewelled robes. This
Shwe Hla
group is supposed to represent Maung
and his father and uncle, the builders of the shrines,
and their tutelary deities.
The easternmost shrine contains a brass Buddha
seated on a pedestal of coloured glass mosaic before
a background of glass and gold. To the north of
these three shrines is a pongyi-kyoung, and scattered
about the grounds are dwelling-places and
other conveniences for the priests
and caretakers
of the temple.