Panhtwar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pan Htwar |
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Queen Pan Htwar statue
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| Queen regnant of Beikthano | |
| Reign | c. 200 BCE |
| Predecessor | new founded |
| Successor | Duttabaung (as victory) |
| Queen consort of Sri Ksetra | |
| Predecessor | herself |
| Consort | Duttabaung |
| House | Beikthano Sri Ksetra (by marriage) |
| Father | Sula Thamawa |
| Mother | Sanda Muhki |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
Panhtwar (Burmese: ပန်ထွာ) was a legendary queen who ruled the ancient city of Beikthano. This city was part of the Pyu Kingdom in what is now Myanmar. People remember Queen Pan Htwar as a very strong and spiritual leader, known for her courage in war.
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The Story of Queen Pan Htwar
According to old legends, Pan Htwar was the only child of Sula Thambawa and Sanda Muhki. Her father was a prince from the Tagaung Kingdom. Her mother was a special mythical being from a faraway land called Lanka Dipa.
A Kingdom Built by a God
The legends say that the Hindu god Vishnu created Beikthano especially for Pan Htwar. This was because she was believed to be Vishnu's younger sister in a past life. Beikthano was a small kingdom. Other larger, more powerful kingdoms often wanted to take it over.
The Magic Drum of Beikthano
Despite being smaller, Beikthano was very hard to conquer. Queen Pan Htwar had a secret weapon: a magical drum called "Atula Sidaw," which means "Nonpareil Drum." This drum was a gift from Indra, the King of the Celestials. When Pan Htwar beat the drum, the nearby Yan Pe River (meaning "Repelling Enemies River") would flood. This made it impossible for enemy armies to cross and attack her city. She used this magic to protect her people many times.
How Beikthano Fell
One day, the King of Sri Ksetra, Duttabaung, planned a clever trick. He sent some of his soldiers disguised as monks to Pan Htwar's palace. She welcomed them, not knowing their true intentions. These fake monks secretly damaged her magic drum.
The next day, when Duttabaung's army attacked, Pan Htwar tried to use her drum, but it didn't work! Her kingdom was lost. Duttabaung took over Beikthano and made Pan Htwar his wife. It's interesting to note that Duttabaung was Pan Htwar's cousin.
Pan Htwar's Revenge
Duttabaung already had other wives. They became jealous of Pan Htwar's beauty. They told the King that her beauty was just a magic trick and that she was actually ugly. Sadly, the King believed them and began to ignore Pan Htwar.
Pan Htwar was very unhappy. She missed her kingdom and didn't feel at home in Sri Ksetra. She decided to get revenge on Duttabaung. One day, she gave him a special piece of cloth to use. What the King didn't know was that this cloth was cursed. When he used it, he began to lose his power and good fortune.
Later, while Duttabaung was traveling on his royal boat, a dragon attacked him. Because he had lost his power, he couldn't fight back and was defeated by the dragon. Pan Htwar had succeeded in her revenge. However, the other queens were very angry about what she had done. They pressured her so much that she eventually passed away.
Pan Htwar in Burmese Stories
Many children in Myanmar grow up hearing stories about Queen Pan Htwar. She is seen as a very brave queen who deeply loved her kingdom. Most Burmese people tell her story as one where she was tricked and her kingdom was taken unfairly. They say she didn't love King Duttabaung, even though he might have loved her. Her revenge was a way to get back at him for everything he did. Legend says that the area where she died has plants that don't grow very tall, as if her curse still affects the land.
Queen Pan Htwar's Spiritual Legacy
Even after her death, Pan Htwar's story continued to be told through generations. Some people believe that because she loved her kingdom so much, she became a goddess. They say she now uses her spiritual powers to protect the people of the kingdom. She is also known as the goddess of the deep forest, called Mahar Myaing.
People who live near her ancient kingdom still believe in her power. They make wishes to her or worship her, believing that their wishes will come true. Many homes and villages in Myanmar have statues of her. When people move to a new area, they often make a new statue of her. They believe that continuing to worship her will bring them good fortune.
During the Buddhist Lent, villagers from Mhaw Zar and Mu Htaw villages gather money for a special ceremony to worship Pan Htwar. This event takes place on the evening before the full moon day of Waso.
Images for kids
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Queen Pan Htwar statue
