Bagan is an ancient city in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), southwest of Mandalay. Standing on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady River, it’s known for the Bagan Archaeological Area, where more than 2,000 Buddhist monuments tower over green plains.
In only one place, you can see Myanmar’s Adorable Cultures , Ancient Monuments, traditional ceremony and Natural Life. It’s Bagan ( heart of Myanmar ) .
Dhammayangyi Temple (Burmese: ဓမၼရံႀကီးဘုရား, IPA: [dəma̰jàɴdʑí pətʰó]) is a Buddhist temple located in Bagan, Myanmar. Largest of all the temples in Bagan, the Dhammayan as it is popularly known was built during the reign of King Narathu[1]:167 (1167-1170). Narathu, who came to the throne by assassinating his father Alaungsithu and his elder brother, presumably built this largest temple to atone for his sins.[2]
The Dhammayangyi is the widest temple in Bagan, and is built in a plan similar to that of Ananda Temple.[3] Burmese chronicles state that while the construction of the temple was in the process, the king was assassinated by some Indians and thus the temple was not completed. Sinhalese sources however indicate that the king was killed by Sinhalese invaders.
The Dhammayangyi is the widest temple in Bagan, and is built in a plan similar to that of Ananda Temple.[3] Burmese chronicles state that while the construction of the temple was in the process, the king was assassinated by some Indians and thus the temple was not completed. Sinhalese sources however indicate that the king was killed by Sinhalese invaders.
The temple’s interior is bricked up for unknown reasons, thus only the four porches and the outer corridors are accessible.[4]
The 2478 stupas at Kakku are one of the most remarkable sights in Shan State. Arranged in neat rows sprawling over the hillside, local legend has it that the stupa garden was founded by the Buddhist missionaries of the Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. As such, the stupas span a bewildering variety of styles, marking the prevailing architectural trends when they were constructed. Some are simple and unadorned while others are covered in a riot of stucco deities and mythical beasts. Among the tall Shan-style stupas are a number of small square ‘monastery style’ stupas that are unique to this region. Like most ancient sites across the country, Kakku has been extensively restored using donations from pilgrims, so don’t expect an Indiana Jones–style ruin in the jungle.