Pindaya ( ''Pìñṯáyá myoú'') is the capital of the Danu Self-Administered Zone in

Shan State Shan State (, ; , ) is a administrative divisions of Myanmar, state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China (Yunnan) to the north, Laos (Louang Namtha Province, Louang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces) to the east, and Thailand (Chiang Rai Province, Chia ...

, east-central

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

. It is located in Pindaya Township. Mainly famous for its

limestone Limestone is a type of carbonate rock, carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material Lime (material), lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different Polymorphism (materials science) ...

caves called Pindaya Caves where thousands of

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),* * * was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist legends, he was ...

images have been consecrated for worship over the centuries, it is also one of the towns that host an itinerant market every fifth day.

Etymology

According to local legend, the term ''Pindaya'' is a corruption of the word Pinguya, which translates to ''Taken the Spider'' in Burmese. The name arose from the legend that there was once a large spider which resided in the caves and it had captured a local princess. The princess was rescued when the giant spider was slain by a prince using a bow and arrow. When the spider was killed, the prince was said to have exclaimed that he had taken the spider, that is to kill it. Thus, the exclamation became the name of the region, and from it Pindaya received its name.

Attractions

The Pindaya Caves, a mild 45 minute walk away from the town, are the most famous attraction the town has to offer. Another lesser known attraction is the PlanBee Beekeeping Center. Visitors can test and buy pure organically made local honey and other bee products while enjoying a cup of coffee and the gorgeous view of Pone Taloke Lake. The Danu Self-Administered Zone is administered by a Leading Body, which is located in Pindaya.

References

External links

Land of Harmony, Spirit of Grace: A Journey through Pindaya
Debbie Jefkin-Elnekave, December 2003, PSA Journal
Flickr photos
{{Authority control Populated places in Shan State Township capitals of Myanmar