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Myanmar Culture & Nature
BAGAN
 The ancient city of Bagan stands on the east bank of the
Ayeyarwaddy in an incredible beautiful setting, about 430 miles
from Yangon (an hour flight) and 30 minutes by flight from
Mandalay. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar.
Considered one of the most important archeological sites of
ancient Myanmar the sacred city of Bagan is the site of many
ancient temples, also known as temple City covering an area of
42 sq km dotted with over 2,000 well preserved pagodas and
temples of the 11th – 13th Century. Now Myanmar Government is
making to unearth the ancient Bagan city by shifting the
residential quarters of modern Bagan town to another place
nearby.
Having been a capital of the first Myanmar Empire, we would like
you to spend two or three nights to enjoy sightseeing the
magnificent temples. We also highly recommend cruising up the
Ayeyarwaddy from Bagan to Mandalay taking about seven hours,
which can provide an opportunity to observe the scenery and way
of life of the local people living along the river. As a side
trip, while in Bagan you can make a half day excursion by road
to Mt. Popa.
The major Places worth visiting are Anandar Temple, Thatbyinyu
Temple, Shwezigone Stupa, Damayangyi stupa, Htilominlo Temple,
Damayaziga Stupa, Sulamani Temple, Gubyaukgyi Temple, Myazaydi
stupa, Manuha Temple, Nanphayar, Nagayone temple. Other places
of interest are Saytanargyi Stupa, Kyauku Temple, U Pali Thein,
Shwsandaw Stupa, Apalyadanar, Nagayone, Seinnyet Nyi Ama, Lawka
Ushaung, Buphayar, Natlaung Kyaung, Ngakwe Na Taung, Tayokepye,
Phayar Thone Su, Nandamanuya, Lawkananda Pagoda, Ashe Petleik,
Anauk Petleik Pagoda, Kyasin Phayar, Khayminkha
Pagoda,Pyathatgyi Temple, Shweyin Kyaw Pagoda compound,Thandaw
gya.
WHERE TO GO—SIGHTSEEING IN BAGAN
Sulamani Temple
It is situated about three miles to the south-west of Nyaung-U.
It was built in 1183 A.D. by Narapatisithu, and resembles the Thatbyinnyu in plan. The temple consists of two stories and each
is crowned by terraces ornamented with battlemented parapets and
small stupas at each corner surmounted a deeply moulded cornice
set with glazed plaques of different sizes and patterns. The
interior walls are entirely decorated with fine frescoes. The
image of the seated Buddha inside the temple is much ruined. The
structure may be assigned to mid 13th century A.D.
Dhammayazika Pagoda
 Built by King Narapatisithu in 1196 A.D, It is a solid
circular pagoda of the Shwezigon type, but its design is
elaborate and unusual. The three lower terraces, which are
adorned with terracotta tablets illustrating the Jatakas or
Birth Stories of the Buddha, are pentagonal, and at the base on
each side, there is a small temple with a square basement
enshrining an image of the Buddha. They are all built on a
raised platform enclosed within a wall, and there is an outer
circuit wall which is pierced with five gateways. There are some
ink inscriptions on the interior walls of the projecting
porches.
Kyanzittha Umin
Situated close to the Shwezigon Pagoda at Nyaung-U, it is a
low brick building half underground and half above. The interior
of the building consists of long and dark corridors, some walls
of which are ornamented with frescoes dating from 11th to 13th
century. Those of later date were most probably painted during
the Mongol occupation of the city in 1287 A.D. and represent
Mongollan personages, captains and warriors.
Nanpaya Temple
It is situated close to the Manuha temple. According to
tradition, it was used as the residence of the captive Mon king,
Manuha. It is built of brick and mud mortar and surfaced with
stone, and is square in plan with a porch projection on the east
face. Flanking the sanctuary in the main building are four stone
pillars on the sides of each of which are carved triangular
flora designs and the figures of the Brahma holding lotus
flowers in each hand. Like other earlier temples at Pagan it has
perforated stone windows to admit light into the building.
Ananda Temple
 It is the most famous of the Bagan’s temples, and is
considered the masterpiece of Mon architecture. It was built in
1091 by King Kyansitha. The structure of the Temple is that of a
simple corridor temple. Other interesting features of the temple
are the numerous glazed terracotta tiles ornamenting the base
and the receding terraces which represent the Jataka stories of
the Buddha and the hosts of Mara’s army. Each of these plaques
is inscribed with a Mon legend. The inner walls are honey-combed
with niches in which are set small stone Buddhas in various
postures. The most notable among the sculptures is a series of
eighty reliefs in the two lower tiers of niches in the outer
corridor, illustrating the life of the Bodhisattva from his
birth to the attainment of supreme wisdom. The western sanctum
also enshrines the life-size statues of its founder, Kyanzittha
and the primate, Shin Arahan.
Thatbyinnyu Temple
It lies in the centre Bagan, half-kilometer away from Ananda.
It is also known as the “Temple of Omniscience” and is the
tallest building in Bagan , 201 feet high.
It was built by King Alaungsithu in the middle of the 12th
century A.D. There are two tires of windows in each story of the
Thatbyinnyu, as well as huge arches inlaid with flamboyant
pediments making the interior bright and allowing a breeze to
flow through. Entering by east porch one is confronted by the
stairway guarded by two standing figures of the guardians. At
the top was a stupa containing holy relics. The upper story can
be reached by climbing interior stairs to the intermediate
terraces, then taking an exterior staircase to the cella. Three
Square terraces with medial stairways rest on this cubicle.
Bagan Museum
 In the proximity of Ananda and Thatbyinnyu, just south of
Gawdawpalin, there is Bagan Museum which contains the exhibits
of Bagan’s varied architecture iconography and religious
history. Along the museum verandas are inscribed stones
collected from the surrounding areas , bearing inscriptions in
various languages such as Mon, Pyu, Pali, Tamil, Thai and
Chinese. This exhibition was moved from a building near Ananda
Temple several years ago. Now, a new museum is under
construction on a grand scale.
Damayangyi Temple
It is said to be Bagan’s largest shrine. It was built by King
Narathu in 1660-65 who was also known as Kalagya Min or the King
assassinated by Indians. The finest brickwork is to be seen in
this temple because it is said that Narathu oversaw the
construction himself, and he had masons executed if a needle
could be pushed between the bricks they had laid. As he was
seriously concerned about his future lives after having murdered
his father, Narathu built it to atone for his misdeed.
Shwesandaw Pagoda
One of only three religious structures King Anawrahta built
in Bagan, it was constructed in 1057 after his victorious return
from Thaton. Its stupa enshrines some of the sacred hairs of
Buddha obtained from the King of Bago (Pegu). The pagoda spire
collapsed in the 1975 quake and it has already been replaced.
Htilominlo Temple
It is 46 meters (150 ft) high and 43 meters (140 ft) on a
side at its base. It is about 1 ½ kilometers (less than one
mile) northeast of Bagan on the road to Nyaung Oo. It was built
by King Nantaungya in 1211 at the place where he was chosen to
be the Crown prince out of five brothers. He and his four
brothers created the Council of Ministers which was also called
Hluttaw (Parliament) to determine state policies. The mural
paintings in the interior can be seen. Many horoscopes and
charms are inscribed on the walls in order to secure them
against damages and destruction. It is said to be the last
Myanmar-style temple built in Bagan.
Minglazedi Pagoda
 It is the last mark of architecture of Temple Builders (Bagan
Era) because it was built in 1284 by King Narathihapate, the
last king of Bagan Dynasty, a few years before the fall of Bagan.
It was noted for its beautiful unglazed Jataqka plaques round
its terraces, called Gu or caves derived from the cave-temples
of India. Its stupa rises high above three terraces mounted on a
square superstructure. A narrow passage runs round the central
pile. The distinguishing figure is the perfection of vaulting
and pointed radiating arch. The door leading to the pagoda
grounds is kept locked. Visitors should contact pagoda warden
ahead of time if they wish to enter the enclosure.
Tharabba Gateway
If you enter the ancient city you’ll pass through the main
gate on the east wall named Tharabba Gateway. It is the only
structure left of the old city built by King Pyibya in the 9th
century . Traces of stucco carving on the frieze are visible on
the exterior walls. The entrance to it is guarded by two Bagan’s
guardians-nats or spirits, called Mahagiri Nats. These two nats,
brother and sister, are namely Maung Tint de (Mr. Handsome) and
his sister Shwemyethna (Miss Golden Face0 whose images are
deposited in a monastery shrine, the male on the left and the
female on the right. They are the most important spirit beings
in Myanmar history.
Mahabodi Temple
 It is the only temple of its kind in the Union of Myanmar. It
lies across the main road of Bagan and is an exact replica of a
structure of the same name in India’s Bihar state, built in 500
A.D at the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It was
built in Bagan during the reign of King Nantaungmya (1210-1234).
The basement is a quadrangular supporting the pyramidal
structure. The whole structure is covered with niches bearing
seated Buddhas. It has a renovation after the damage of 1975
earthquake.
Bupaya
It is the oldest of the shrines and is situated on the bank
of Ayeyarwaddy River. It was built by King Pyusawhti, the 3rd
King of Bagan (163-248 A.D) before Anawrahta period. Legend has
it that the pagoda was built in p place where a gigantic Bu or
gourd like climbing plant grew. It has the bulbous form and is
built on rows of crenulated walls overlooking the river. Because
if the way it stands out on the banks, it is used as a
navigation aid by boats.
Nathlaung Kyaung Temple
 It is supposed to have been built by King Taungthugyi in 931
A.D, more than a century, before theravadda Buddhism was
introduced from Thaton. And it was dedicated to the Hindu God
Vishnu. It remained the greatest Hindu Temple in Bagan and still
now exists in Bagan. The temples was housed 10 Vishnu images on
the outer walls of the main hall, out of these seven can still
be seen today. The temple, being essentially a Vishnu temple,
the paintings represents seated figures of Vishnu cult of relief
in brick.
U Pali Thein
It is almost directly opposite to Htilominlo Temple named
after celebrated monk U Pail in 13th century. It was renovated
during Konbaung dynasty period in 1794 and 1795. Its walls and
ceilings were decorated with fine and brilliant frescoes
representing the 28 previous Buddhas as well as scenes from the
life of Gautama Budha.
Shwezigon Pagoda
 It is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. King
Anawrahta, thinking himself as a “universal monarch”, set about
to obtain all possible relics of the Buddha. He got the Buddha’s
collar bone and frontal bone from Pyay and an emerald Buddha
figure from Yunan of China. All these sacred relics were
enshrined in this pagoda. As he died in 1077, King Kyansitha
supervised the completion of the structure in 1089. It is a
solid sylindrical in style and is a prototype of other similar
structures in Myanmar. On each of the four sides of pagoda is
small temple which enshrines the standing Buddha of the Gupta
style. At the northeast corner of the platform there are
37images of nats or spirits ina shrine hall. Shwezigon Pagoda
festival is held annually during the month of November or
December in honour of the pagoda.
Manuha Temple
It was built by the captive King of Thaton in 1059 A.D,
situated just south of Myinkaba village. The builder’s grievance
is graphically demonstrated by representing one reclining and
three seated Buddha images cramped uncomfortably within the
narrow confines of the pagoda. It is said to symbolize the
distressed soul of the defeated King, and is an example of early
jail architecture in Myanmar. Unlike to most Mon-style temple,
its upper story is smaller than the lower. It collapsed during
1975 earthquake and was renovated in 1981.grievance
is graphically demonstrated by representing one reclining and
three seated Buddha images cramped uncomfortably within the
narrow confines of the pagoda. It is said to symbolize the
distressed soul of the defeated King, and is an example of early
jail architecture in Myanmar. Unlike to most Mon-style temple,
its upper story is smaller than the lower. It collapsed during
1975 earthquake and was renovated in 1981.
Nagayone Temple
 It is believed that the temple was built by king Kyansitha on
the sport where he was given protection by a Naga (Dragon)
during the flight from Anawrahta. It has a hall, a dark
corridor, an inner chamber, and a character of Min style. There
are stone reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Buddha in
the interior of it. A standing Buddha, flanked by two smaller
seated Buddhas, is housed in the shrines.
Abeyadana Temple
It attributed to Kyansitha’s first wife Abeyadana whom he
married as a young worrier and it is believed to mark the spot
where his wife came and waited for him during his flight from
King Anawrahta. Having become the king, this temple was built on
this spot dedicated to his wife. Inside the temple visitor can
see the frescoes on the outer walls of the corridors
representing the Bodhisattvas or future Buddha and the figures
of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra and other gods of India
mythology on the inner walls.
Kubaukgyi Temple
 If you are approaching Myinkaba village famous for its fine
lacquerware industry, a short distance after passing the
Minglazedi Pagoda, you’ll see the Kubaukgyi temple. It was built
by Prince Rajakumar on the death of his father Kyansitha in 13th
century. This temple is built in pure Mon-style, and is of great
importance for its inscriptions. The most notable feature of the
Kubaukgyi is the Mahazedi stone, like Rosetta Stone, in which it
was inscribed by Rajakumar in four Languages ( Myanmar, Mon,
Pali and Pyu ) it is well known for its linguistic importance and
it is invaluable in fixing the chronology of the Kings of Bagan.
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| It is the special excursion
trekking..... |
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| Naga Land is the last exotic
destination.... |
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| Myanmar Ayeyawaddy Dolphin is
........... |
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| There are many ranges of mountains. |
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| The first locomotive of Myanmar ..... |
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