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BAGAN
Bagan is the most amazing sight in Myanmar and one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in South East Asia.As 2 centuries accumulation of architectural masterpieces, Bagan ranks on a par with the region's other
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aweinspiring religious monuments: Cambodia 's Angkor Wat and Borobudur in Java.But at Bagan there are 2,217 pagodas still standing and another 2,000 odd ruined temples the remains of Myanmar 's architectural golden age.Bagan was Myanmar capital for 230 years, between the 11th and 13th centuries and in those days there would also have been thousands of secular buildings such as palaces and houses.But because these were built of wood, all have long since rotted away, leaving only the brick temples and pagodas.
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Amazingly, all Bagan's monuments are concentrated in just 42 sq km on the left bank of the Ayeyarwady River, known as the Bagan Plain.Through these temples and pagodas it is possible to trace the evolution of distinct architectural styles from early Mon and Indian inspired shapes (after the Late Pala style) to the classic Burmese stupa design and the light and airy post Mon temples. Bagan's documented history begins with its most famous temple building king, Anawrahta, who came to the throne in 1044.He introduced Theravada Buddhism to the city before the state religion was a mixture of Mahayana Buddhism and Brahmanism. Bagan's glory days ended abruptly with the invasion of the Mongul emperor Kublai Khan in 1287, after which the city was abandoned.Marco Polo, who arrived with the Tatar and Mongul raiders, was probably the first Westerner to set eyes on the city. |
The Bagan plain is in the dry zone with only 640 mm of main per year and only supports a small population.Local farmers cannot grow rice but after the rains reap harvests of sesame, peanuts, corn and vegetables. |
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 Ananda Temple
 The Ananda Temple is one of the finest, best prese rved and most revered of the Bagan temples, Ananda suffered considerable damage it the 1975 earthquake but has been totally restored.Started in 1091 by King Anawrahta and finished by Kyanzittha, the Ananda inspired the temple building of later Burmese kin gs.It is a central pillar type temple the central portion is a square block, each side of which is 53m long and 10.7m high.There are four large gabled portico entrances, giving the temple a cruciform structure. |
Shwezigon Zedi
This beautiful Shwezigon Zedi was commenced by Anawrahta but not completed until the region of Kyanzittha (1084-1113).Shwezigon Zedi is the prototype for succeeding generations of pagodas in Myanmar.There are green glazed plaques depicting scenes from the Jataka.The pagoda festival is held from late October till early November.
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| Manuha Pagoda  Manuha was named after the Mon king from Thaton who was held captive in Bagan by Anawrahta.Manuha is supposed to have sold his last jewels to build the temple.Inside are three Buddha images, cramped into small space, symbolizing the king's captivity.
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Mingalazedi Pagoda
Narathihapati built Mingalazedi Pagoda in 1277.It was the very last of the large late period monuments to be built before the kingdom's decline, thus representing the final flowering of Bagan's architectural skills.
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Thatbyinnyu Temple
 Thatbyinnyu Temple was built by King Alaungsithu in 1144.Over 66 meters high and this white stucco building overtops all other monuments as the highest pagoda on the Bagan plain. |
Htilominlo Temple
Htilominlo Temple was built by King Nantaaungmya in 1218.It is one of the larger temples of Bagan.It is a double-storied structure rising 46 meters in height.This temple is noted for its fine plaster carvings on the arch pediments, frieze and pilaster.
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Gawdawpalin Temple
 Gawdawpalin Temple was mostly built during the reign of King Narapatisithu but was finished by his son, King Hitlominlo.Gawdawpalin means 'platform to which respect to homage is paid'.The Gawdawpalin is good place to watch sunrises and sunsets, with its views over the Irrawaddy. |
Shwegugyi Temple
Shwegugyi Temple was built by King Alaungsithu in 1131 and straddles the earlier and middle period of Bagan's architecture.Inside there is a Pali inscription recording King Alaungs ithu's religious aspirations and that the temple was completed in 7 months.
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| Bupaya Pagoda
 This cylindrical Pyu style stupa is said to be the oldest in Bagan.Local residents claim it dates to the end 3rd century AD, although there is little proof to support this belief.Bubaya Pagoda was completely destroyed when it tumbled into the river in the 1975 earthquake, but has since been totally rebuilt.
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Nathlaung Kyaung
Nathlaung Kyaung's name means 'Shrine Confining Nats'.It is Bagan's only Hindu Vaishnavite temple and was probably built in the 10 th century to serve Bagan's Indian community of merchants and craftsmen.
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| Pitakattaik It is said to have been built to house the 32 elephant-loads of scriptures bought by King Anawrahta from Thaton in 1057.The design follows the basic early Bagan Gu or cave plan, perfect for the preservation of light-sensitive, palm leaf scriptures. |
| Mahabodhi Temple
 Modeled after the famous Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, which commemorates the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment, this monument was built during the reign of Nantaungmya (1211-1234).
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Kyanzittha Cave Temple
A stone's throw from the shwezigon is the simple Kyanzittha Cave Temple, which served as a place of lodging for monks.It is long dark corridors are painted with murals, some of which depict the Mongul soldiers who invaded Bagan in 1287.
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| Upali Thein
 It is thought to have been founded in the mid-13th century and named after the monks, Upali.The rectangular building has roof battlements imitative of Burmese wooden architecture and a small central spire rising from the rooftop. The building is usually kept locked in order to protect them.
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Wekkyi in Gubyuakgyi Temple
It was known for its interior Jataka paintings some were removed by an archaeologist in 1899 and dates from the early 13 th century.To distinguish it from the temple of the same name in Myinkaba, this monument is sometime called Wekkyi in Gubyuakgyi.
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Archaeological Museum
 The museum run by Archaeological Department is situated near the Gawdawpalin Temple.It has a collection of more than 2,000 items including Buddha statues, stucco pieces, terra-cotta cups and pots.Open daily except Monday and public holidays. |
