The quake, centered near Inle Lake, has left a trail of devastation, with historic temples, monasteries, and pagodas severely damaged or destroyed.


The quake, centered near Inle Lake, has left a trail of devastation, with historic temples, monasteries, and pagodas severely damaged or destroyed

Among the worst-hit sites is the revered Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay, one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist landmarks.


A before-and-after comparison of Mahamuni Pagoda - one of the most sacred sites in Mandalay, Myanmar, following the earthquake.

The Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (Burmese: မဟာအောင်မြေဘုံစံကျောင်း a.k.a. Me Nu Brick Monastery), a historic 19th-century structure in Inwa, has been completely destroyed. The monastery was built by Queen Nanmadaw Me Nu in 1818 to serve as the residence of her religious preceptor, the Nyaunggan Sayadaw U Po


Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (Me Nu Brick Monastery)

Additionally, large sections of the Mandalay Royal Palace, built in 1857, have collapsed.


Mandalay Royal Palace

Rescue teams are working to locate survivors, including monks trapped under the rubble of the Mandalay Thakkyathiha Association temple. The Mandalay Thakkyathiha Association is a venue for the Thakkyathiha Examination, conducted by the Mandalay Pariyatti Sasana Hita Association, is one of the most important monastic exams in the Buddhist tradition. As part of the Sasana examinations, it is held annually and attracts Sangha members from both Myanmar and abroad.




However, communication blackouts in much of the Mandalay region have hampered relief efforts, leaving information scarce.

The disaster strikes as Myanmar grapples with an ongoing civil war and economic collapse following the 2021 military coup. With many citizens struggling to meet basic needs, monasteries - which rely on public alms - have been forced to suspend food donations for the first time in history.

Authorities are coordinating with aid agencies to deliver critical assistance. Updates on relief efforts will follow as more details emerge.

Stay tuned for further developments.