| Type of monument |
: Type III Temple |
| Location |
: East of Shinbinthalaung and Shwesandaw |
| Region |
: Old Bagan |
| Built by |
: King Narathu @ Kalagya Min |
| Date |
: A.D 1167 |
| Monument Number |
: 771 |
| Photo Gallery |
: View 16 Photos |
Dhammayangyi Temple is the most massive structure in Bagan which
has a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple. It was built by
King Narathu (1167-70), who was also known as Kalagya Min, the 'king
killed by Indians'. The temple is located about a kilometer to the
southeast of the city walls directing Minnanthu.
After murdering his own king father, Narathu ascended the throne of
Bagan and due to that, he built this temple. It is said that Narathu
oversaw the construction himself and that masons were excecuted if a
needle could be pushed between bricks they had laid. But he never
completed the construction because he was assassinated before the
completion. It was said that he was displeased by the Hindu rituals
and one of them who made those rituals was the Indian princess who
was the daughter of Pateikkaya. So he executed her for such reasons.
The princess's father wanted revenge for his innocent daughter and
sent 8 officers in the disguise of Brahmans and assassinated Narathu
in this very temple.
A CLOSER VIEW OF THE GREAT TEMPLE
The interior floor plan of the temple includes two ambulatories.
Almost all the entire innermost passage, however, was intentionally
filled with brick rubble centuries ago. Three out of the four Buddha
sanctums were also filled with bricks. The remaining western shrine
features two original side-by-side images of Gautama and Maitreya,
the historical and future Buddhas. The interlocking, mortarless
brickwork at Dhammayangyi, best appreciated on the upper terraces,
is said to rank as the finest in Bagan. Unfortunately the highest
terraces and hidden stairways leading to them are now off limits to
visitors.
BUDDHA IMAGES INSIDE THE TEMPLE
DARK PASSAGES INSIDE THE TEMPLE
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