Bagan Pagodas
Ananda pagoda
One of Bagan’s most beautiful temples
NameAnanda pagoda, Ananda pahto, Ananda phaya
Date1090 - 1105
KingKyanzittha
LocationJust East of old Bagan city wall
StyleEnd of early Bagan period
Mon & North Indian influence
Single storey structure
NearbyThatbyinnyu temple
The Ananda temple is one of Bagan’s best known and most beautiful temples. It was one of the first great temples to be build in Bagan and is well preserved. The temple is found near the Tharabar gate, the only gate remaining of the original 12 in the old Bagan city walls. The Ananda pagoda, also named Ananda pahto and Ananda phaya is a single storey structure built towards the end of the early Bagan period. The architectural style shows Mon and North Indian influence. Gilded shikhara The temple’s most distinctive feature is the gilded shikhara, the tower like spire on top of the pagoda. The reflection of the gilded shikhara is visible from miles away over the Bagan plains. After dark the Ananda pagoda is lit up by spotlights creating a mystical atmosphere. The Ananda was damaged during the 1975 earthquake, and has been extensively restored since then. Legend of the Ananda temple A local legend tells the story of the founding of the Ananda temple. Towards the end of the 11th century eight monks from India visited Bagan. They were granted an audience by King Kyanzittha. The monks told the King about a legendary cave temple in the Himalaya mountains and created a vision for the King to see the temple and the snowy landscape. The story and vision left the King very impressed and he decided to replicate the temple in Bagan. It is said that after the Ananda temple was completed, the King had the architects executed, to make sure anything like it could never be build again.
Htilominlo temple
The 46 meter tall Htilominlo temple
Htilominlo temple
Majestic three storey temple on the plains of Bagan
NameHtilominlo temple, Htilominlo pahto, Htilominlo guphaya
Date1218
KingHtilominlo
LocationNorth East of old Bagan on the way to Nyaung U village
StyleLate Bagan period
Three storey
NearbyUpali Thein, Mya Zigon Hpaya
The Htilominlo temple is a large majestic structure towering 46 meters high. Its design is similar to that of the Sulamani, which was build about three decades earlier by the previous King. The monument is named after its builder, King Htilominlo who was also known as Zeya Theinkha and Nadaungmyar. Selection of Htilominlo as King According to legend, Htilominlo was chosen to be the next King out of the five sons of King Narapatisithu. The five sons stood in a circle with a white umbrella in the center. When the umbrella would tilt and point towards one of the sons, that son was to be the next King. As the umbrella pointed towards Htilominlo, he was chosen. It is said that the Htilominlo pagoda was built on the spot where he was selected as the next King. Architecture of the Htilominlo The Htilominlo is a brick structure, that was originally plastered with white stucco, some of which is still in place. The intricately carved stucco contains depictions of ogresses and mythological animals like Makara sea creatures. The temple is set on a low platform and has a symmetrical floor plan, but for the Eastern entrance porch that extends further out than the other three. The massive lower cube is topped with three receding terraces. The much smaller second cube has another three terraces. All of them contain small stupas on each of its corners. Jataka tales The terraces are fitted with a set of glazed terracotta plaques with scenes from the Jataka tales, the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. Unfortunately, many of the tiles have not survived. Each side of the square temple has an entrance porch, that are all richly decorated. The porch of the Eastern gate extends out further from the structure than the other entrances, which breaks the symmetry of the building. Shikhara and hti topping the Htilominlo The top of the Htilominlo temple comprises of a shikhara, an ornamental tower originating from Northern India. The shikhara is similar to that of the Ananda, except that it is not gilded. A gilded hti, a spire shaped like an umbrella is placed on the shikhara.
Shwezigon pagoda
Gold plated pagoda built by the founder of the Bagan empire
NameShwezigon pagoda, Shwezigon phaya
Date1090
KingAnawrahta
LocationAbout 5 kilometers North East of Old Bagan on the edge of Nyaung U village,
close to the Irrawaddy river StyleEarly Period
Single storey
NearbySeveral less known monuments
The Shwezigon pagoda is one of the oldest and most impressive monuments of Bagan. Most noticeable is the huge gold plated pagoda glimmering in the sun. The design of the Shwezigon pagoda has been copied many times across Burma over the centuries. After dark the pagoda is wonderfully illuminated by spotlights that give the place a mystical atmosphere. The Shwezigon was damaged by several earthquakes including the large 1975 quake, but has been restored since. Pilgrimage site Several shrines and temple buildings have been added to the complex since construction of the stupa in the year 1090. As the pagoda enshrines a number of sacred Buddhist relics, it is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Shwezigon festival The Shwezigon festival held during the 9th month of the Burmese calender (December) attracts thousands of devotees. This was originally a month dedicated to paying respect to the ancient Nat spirits, before Theravada Buddhism became prevalent in Burma.
Bagan Hotels
Top 5 Best Food in Bagan
Burmese Curry
Rice noodles
Tea leaf salad
Fish soup rice noodles
Glutinous Rice
Bagan is a famous tourist destination in Myanmar. There are lots of tourists everyday. In addition to famous pagodas in Bagan, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, Htilominlo Temple and Dhammayangyi Temple, you must eat food in Bagan. What to eat in Bagan? There are traditional Burmese food including Burmese curry, rice noodles with coconut juice and chicken, tea leaf salad, fish soup rice noodles and glutinous rice. These dishes are top 5 best food that you should try in Bagan.