U Khandi

Khandi U (1868 – 1949) - A Burmese hermit (Ya-thay-gyi U Khandi) was well-known in Burma due to his works on Buddhist Pagodas and other Religious Buildings in Burma (Myanmar). U Khandi maintained Mandalay Mountain and organized many religious activities for 40 years. He was born in Yamethin town, Ywa-tha-ywa village and his youth name was Maung Pho Maung. U Khandi converted into hermit in 1900 and meditated at Mandalay Tha-kho Mountain and Shwe-myin-tin Mountain. Due to U Khandi's goodwill organization very difficult tasks were easily accomplished such as building Pagodas and Religious Building on top of the mountains, for example the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

His work was not only recognised by the Burmese people but also the British government, who gave him and his followers’ special privileges such as free travel certificates and permitted them to work without licensing. U Khandi suffered minor paralysis for three years and died on 14 Jan 1949. Two years later funeral celebrations were held and he was cremated in accordance with the Buddhist culture of Myanmar.

References

*Burmese Encyclopedia Vol 2, p-320 printed in 1955