Bagan was probably founded in the mid to late 9th century. Between 1044 and 1287 it was the capital of the Pagan Empire. During that time over 10,000 religious monuments were constructed (approximately 1000 pagodas, 10,000 small temples and 3000 monasteries). After the fall of the Pagan Empire, Bagan was little more than a village for the next 6 centuries. Only few religious monuments were constructed during that time. The pagodas are made out of brick or sandstone. The larger ones have three to five terraces. The stairs between terraces are very steep for defensive purposes.
The pagodas have various styles of tops. The most common are:
Today Bagan is surrounded by some 2500 pagodas and temples on 104 km² (40 square miles). Currently, there are about 64 villages in the area with some 100,000 people living in the area.
Bagan with its splendid temples is another example of the many sites of Ancient Civilizations that I visited during my travels.
This is a one of the largest temple complexes in Bagan. It was built in 1105 during the reign of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty (1084–1113). It is one of four surviving large temples in Bagan.
It has four large standing Buddha statues, named after various aspects of Buddha. Kakusandha (the 25thBuddha, the first of the five Buddhas of the present, and the fourth of the seven ancient Buddhas) facing north. Konagamana (the 26thBuddha, the second of the five Buddhas of the present era, and the fifth of the seven ancient Buddhas) facing east. Gautama (the last of the five Buddhas of the present) facing west. Kassapa (the third of the five Buddhas of the present, and the sixth of the seven ancient Buddhas), facing south. The north and south facing statues are originals, the other two are later reconstructions.
The south and the north facing Buddhas have a unique architectural design of the face. When viewed from afar, the Buddha is smiling, but when viewed from close-up, it has a sad look.
There are many wall paintings in the temple, many of them being restored.
Full view of the Ananda Temple. (816k) View of the south-west part of the Ananda Temple. (983k) View of the north-east part of the Ananda Temple, with restoration work in progress. (650k) East entrance to the Ananda Temple. (696k) Mt Meru style top of the pagoda on the Ananda Temple. (724k) The hti (umbrella) on the top of the Ananda Temple. (641k) One of the lions guarding the east wing of the Ananda Temple. (953k) Kakusandha, the north facing Buddha, from afar, smiling. (761k) Kakusandha, the north facing Buddha, from close, with sad expression. (1042k) Gautama, the west facing standing Buddha with the Abhaya Mudra. (888k) Kassapa, the south facing standing Buddha. (972k) Face of Kassapa, the south facing Buddha from close, with sad looking expression. (787k) Face of Kassapa, the south facing Buddha from afar, with happy looking expression. (993k) Ceiling paintings in the Ananda Temple. (492k) Ceiling paintings in the Ananda Temple. (853k) Ceiling paintings in the Ananda Temple. (759k) Terra cotta tile on the Ananda Temple. There are hundreds of these tiles around the temple, depicting various Jataka tales. (923k) Terra cotta tile on the Ananda Temple. There are hundreds of these tiles around the temple, depicting various Jataka tales. (1203k)
Shwezigone Pagoda
Construction of the Shwezigone Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102 CE, during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty.
Shwezigone Pagoda. (771k) Shwezigone Pagoda. (854k) Stairs leading up to the Shwezigone Pagoda. (842k) People preparing to donate food to the temple. (974k) Woman giving gifts in the Shwezigone Pagoda. The large round vessels hold the gifts from the villagers. (911k) Standing Buddha with the Abhaya Mudra in the Shwezigone Pagoda (11th century). (729k) Decorative tiles in the Shwezigone Pagoda. (916k) Donation record in the Shwezigone Pagoda. (847k)
Nathlaung Kyaung Temple
This is the only Hindu Temple dedicated to Vishnu in Bagan. It is one of the oldest temples in Bagan, it dates from the 11th century. Some historians believe the temple may have been built in the 10th century, during the reign of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Entrance to the Nathlaung Kyaung Temple. (926k) Hindu gods in the Nathlaung Kyaung Temple. (795k) Close-up of the Trinity of Hindu gods in the Nathlaung Kyaung Temple. Left: Brahma, Center: Vishnu, Right: Shiva. (780k) Hindu god. I am not sure which one, he carries the trident, symbol of Shiva, and the mace, symbol of Vishnu. (788k) Hindu deity. (806k) Buddha statues in the Nathlaung Kyaung Temple. The center statue is with the Abhaya Mudra. (760k) Wall paintings in the Nathlaung Kyaung Temple. (855k)
Gubyaukgyi Temple
The Gubyaukgyi temple, located just south of Bagan, Myanmar, in Myinkaba Village, is a Buddhist temple built in 1113 CE by Prince Yazakumar, shortly after the death of his father, King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The temple is notable for a large array of well-preserved frescoes on its interior walls, the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan.
Gubyaukgyi Temple. (981k) Gubyaukgyi Temple. (739k) Stone carvings on the Gubyaukgyi Temple. (1361k) Frescoes in the Gubyaukgyi Temple. (532k) Frescoes in the Gubyaukgyi Temple. (714k)
Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery
The monastery was built in the 18th century. It was made mostly of teak wood. Up to 200 people sleep there for free each night and receive meals.
Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (670k) Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (570k) Wood carved roof decoration in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (1032k) Details of wood carved roof decoration in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (791k) Wood carved doorway in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (891k) Wood carved figures in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (798k) Wood carved figures in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (708k) Wood carved figures in the Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery. (747k)
Khay Min Gha Temple
The Khay Min Gha Temple was built in the 11th century.
Khay Min Gha Temple. (689k) Buddha statue with the Bhumisparsha Mudra in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (883k) Wall paintings in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (1089k) Wall paintings of Buddha with the Dharmachakra Mudra and disciples in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (868k) Wall paintings of Buddha in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (831k) Wall paintings of Buddha in teaching pose (Dharmachakra Mudra) in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (917k) Wall paintings of Buddha in meditating pose (Dhyana Mudra) in the Khay Min Gha Temple. (872k)
Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi Temple was built in the mid-13th century during the reign of King Htilominlo, and is modelled after the Mahabodhi Temple, in Bihar, India. The temple is built in an architectural style typical during the Gupta period, and contains a large pyramidal tower with many niches containing over 450 images of Buddha.
Mahabodhi Temple. (757k) Mahabodhi Temple. (783k) Worship station in the Mahabodhi Temple, with the signs for the days of the week. (828k)
Kyaukgu Umin Temple
This temple is built into the rock, with tunnels behind the temple.
Gilded Buddha statue with the Bhumisparsha Mudra in the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (928k) Stone carved wall decoration in the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (831k) Stone statue in the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (752k) Tunnel behind the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (629k) Top part of the clay tablet with tiny Buddha figures in the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (801k) Top part of the clay tablet with tiny Buddha figures. (814k) Lower part of the clay tablet with tiny Buddha figures. The hand gives you a size reference. (675k) Inscription in the Kyaukgu Umin Temple. (825k)
Thatbyinnyu Temple
It was built in the mid-12th century during the reign of King Alaungsithu. With 61 m (200 ft) t is the tallest temple in Bagan.
Thatbyinnyu Temple. (980k) Statues in the Thatbyinnyu Temple. (880k) Sitting Buddha statue with the Bhumisparsha Mudra in the Thatbyinnyu Temple. (816k) Bodhisattva statue in the Thatbyinnyu Temple. (901k) Carvings in the Thatbyinnyu Temple. (882k)
Manuha Temple
Built by captive Mon King Manuha in 1067. It is one of the oldest temples in Bagan.
Manuha Temple. (817k) Large Buddha statue in the Manuha Temple. (718k) Large reclining Buddha statue in the Manuha Temple. (626k) Large reclining Buddha statue in the Manuha Temple. (570k)
Nanpaya Temple
The Nanpaya Temple is next to the Manuha Temple. It contains Hindu reliefs. It was built by captive Thaton Kingdom King Makuta.
Nanpaya Temple. (941k) Nanpaya Temple. (1013k) Details on the Nanpaya Temple. (1088k) Fries in the Nanpaya Temple. (911k) Fries with the Hindu Trinity in the Nanpaya Temple. (859k) Fries with the Hindu Trinity in the Nanpaya Temple. (859k)
Dhammayazika Pagoda
It was built in 1196 during the reign of King Narapatisithu. The pagoda is circular in design, and is made of brick.
Dhammayazika Pagoda. (1141k) Statue outside the Dhammayazika Pagoda. (870k) Roof decoration on the Dhammayazika Pagoda. (1019k) Roof decoration on the Dhammayazika Pagoda. (696k) Wall of the Dhammayazika Pagoda with terra cotta tiles. (1080k) Terra cotta tile on the Dhammayazika Pagoda. (1007k)
Lawkananda Pagoda
Lawkananda Pagoda was built during the reign of King Anawrahta (1015 - 1078), founder of the Pagan Empire. The pagoda is covered with new gold leaf every five years.
Lawkananda Pagoda in Pyu style. (696k) Pyu style top of the Lawkananda Pagoda, covered in gold leaf. (826k) Gilded hti (umbrella) of the Lawkananda Pagoda. (673k) Large ceremonial gong in the Lawkananda Pagoda. (861k) Large ceremonial drum in the Lawkananda Pagoda. (935k) Gilded throne in the Lawkananda Pagoda. (1180k) Statues near the Lawkananda Pagoda with young apprentice monks. (873k)
Pagodas and Temples
Large Buddha statue with the Bhumisparsha Mudra in one of the temples in Bagan. (771k) Buddha statue in one of the temples in Bagan. It has an older head of a Buddha statue inside. (723k) Buddha statue with the Dhyana Mudra and stone carved wall decorations in one of the temples in Bagan. (701k) Head of a Buddha statue in one of the temples in Bagan. (660k) Stone carved door decorations in one of the temples in Bagan. (1296k) Stone carved roof decorations in one of the temples in Bagan. (1.5M) Close-up of stone carved roof decorations in one of the temples in Bagan. (1485k) Stone carvings on one of the temples in Bagan. (1249k) Wall carvings in the Nanpaya Temple. (911k) Wall carvings of Brahma in the Nanpaya Temple. (859k) Interior staircase in one of the temples in Bagan. (850k) 12th century Inscription in Pagoda 915, showing the name Myanmar (not Burma). (897k) The stairs on the pagodas are very steep. (1089k) View over the pagodas of Bagan. (925k) Pagodas of Bagan. (862k) Pagodas of Bagan. (850k) Pagodas of Bagan. (808k) Pagoda in Bagan. (863k) Pagoda in Bagan. (1086k) Pagoda in Bagan. (841k) Pagoda in Bagan. (689k) Pagoda in Bagan. (912k) Pagoda in Bagan. (752k) Pagoda in Bagan. (953k) Pagoda in Bagan. (645k) Pagoda in Bagan. (1301k) Pagoda in Bagan. (1173k) Pagoda in Bagan. (1088k) Pagoda in Bagan. (933k) Pagoda in Bagan. (733k) Pagoda in Bagan. (847k) Pagoda in Bagan. (1069k) Sunset over the pagodas of Bagan. (276k) Sunset over the pagodas of Bagan. (414k)
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
Soaring website