The temples of Bagan or Pagan (as anciently was known this place) are an extraordinary
set of ancient Buddhist sanctuaries, which were built mainly between X century and
XII century in the actual territory of Myanmar (Burma) on the eastern bank of the
Ayerwady River to 145 Kilometers (90 miles) of Mandalay city.
The impressive religious complex of Bagan is composed by around 2200 temples and
pagodas and covered an area of almost 26 square miles. These temples are a compendium
of the architectural styles developed in the region during the historical period,
they were constructed such as "Stupa with a relic-shaped dome", "Stupa with tomb-shaped
dome", "Sinhalese-styled stupa", "North Indian model", "Central Indian Model", "South
Indian model", "Mon model". Nevertheless, most structures were built using two kinds
of buildings: the pagoda and the
temple.
Both types of structures have their own goals. The pagoda was a symbol of adoration,
whereas the temple served for worship and meditation. To build the structures the
constructors used mainly bricks, sandstone and large-sized timber. Some metals like
iron and bronze also were used but not extensively. The pagodas were constructed
using a structural framing system, which consists of a systematically framed outer wall brick, strengthened with sandstone at intervals and a central hard core consolidated
with brickbats and earth.
Some of the most important and beautiful temples that remain standing in Bagan are:
• Dhammayangyi, it was constructed by the king Narathu from 1167 to 1170 and is
the largest temple of the complex.
• Shwesandaw, this was one of the first temples built in Bagan. It was constructed
by Anawahta and its stupa enshrines hairs of Buddha. This temple is known also as
the Ganesh Temple because of images of this Hindu god were in the corners of the
temple’s terraces.
• Mahabodi is an exact replica in smaller scale of the famous temple of Bodhi in
India. Mahabodhi was constructed by the king Nataungmya and it is totally covered
with niches which contain images of Budha.
• Amnada Temple, it is one of the most beautiful temples and in 1990 received a
golden gilding in its 900th anniversary of construction. The temple hosts also four
great golden statues of Buddhas.
• Shwe Zi Khon, it is perhaps the most beautiful and important temple of Bagan.
It host several hairs and bones of Buddha. The construction of the temple was initiated
by the king Anawrata and was finished by its successor the king Kyanzittha. This
temple is scenery of a great religious festival every year and is still today an
important pilgrimage center.
• Thatbynnyu is the highest structure of Bagan with 61 meters height (around 201
feet).
History
The archeological and religious Bagan complex covers about 16 square miles. Most
structures in this complex were constructed from the 1000 to 1200 AD. During this
time Bagan was the capital of the Burmese Empire for second time. The golden age
of Bagan began in 1057 AD when the King Anawrahta conquest Thaton. Anawrahta was
Buddhist; therefore he brought back to Bagan the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism
and with the help of a monk from Lower Burma, he converted the people of the country
to the Buddhism.
Anawrata initiated the massive construction of temples and other religious buildings
in Bagan which we can see still. But his successors were who continued the tradition
started by Anawrata by 290 years, since they constructed over 10000 temples and
pagodas in Bagan.
Shwe Zi Khon Pagoda in Bagan
During its apogee Bagan was one of the most important religious and cultural centers
of Asia, it reached a population 300 000 people and around 10 00 temples and pagodas
existed in Bagan. Unfortunately the attacks of enemies and several earthquakes destroyed
most buildings of the ancient capital of Burma.
The golden age of Bagan finished in 1287 when the region was invaded by Mongols,
who sacked the city and the temples. Nevertheless, the city was still an important
Buddhist center, but its political importance was lost forever. Little by little
the city was abandoned and nowadays only the temples and some archeological remains
survive of which was one of the most important capitals of Asia.
The Burmese government has tried to restore the temples of Bagan. Unfortunately,
these restorations have been made without respect for the original materials and
architectural styles of the building. Therefore UNESCO
never
declared Bagan as World Heritage. But, Bagan is definitely one of the sites of the planet that worth visiting
before die.