Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
identikit miniature mosaic-style Buddhas interspersed with larger Buddhas seated on plinths.
The
inner corridor
(on the upper level) is more fragmentary, lined with hundreds of small
seated Buddhas, while two quaint ogre guards flank the entrance to the corridor on the north-
ern side opposite the stupa.
Sakya Manaung Paya
Open access 24hr • Entry covered by main temple ticket
The
Sakya Manaung Paya
was built at the same time as the similar Mong Khong Shwetu
Pagoda nearby. Two huge, brightly painted ogres stand guard over the entrance, facing out-
wards, while behind them two more supersized figures stand praying towards the temple -
the statues are revered in their own right, with squares of gold leaf applied to their bases (al-
though some people content themselves with offering strips of gold-coloured adhesive tape
rather than the real thing).
The
main stupa
is a classic example of the later Mrauk U style, set inside a ring of eleven
mini-stupas and rising from a quasi-octagonal, zigzagging base which has now expanded to
many levels, making up almost half the height of the entire structure. Elaborate two-storey
niches decorate the stupa's four faces, with
makara
-like finials at the corners of the three
main base terraces.
Ratanaman
Open access 24hr • Entry covered by main temple ticket
Halfway between the northern and eastern groups, the
Ratanaman
is another elegant, late-
period stupa set on a many-tiered octagonal base. Eight colourful little figures representing
the
days of the week
stand around the base of the stupa, along with a modern prayer hall and
a pair of old brick shrines.
South of the centre
Theareasouthofthecentreisrelativelydevoidofancientmonuments,althoughyoucanstill
see the modest remains of the old
Laksaykan Gate
, leading through to the gorgeous
Lak-
saykan Lake
.
Sandamuni Kyaungtaik
Approaching from the town centre, turn off the road running south from the bike rental shop through a yellow
arch (signed, but in Burmese only) and continue to the end of the road and turn left up the steps at the sign
saying “Sanda Muhni Phara Gri Kyang Tak” • No fixed opening hours; entrance is free (although you might
want to give a donation)
The extensive
Sandamuni Kyaungtaik monastery
(aka the Bandoola Kyaung) spreads up
a hillside just west of Laksaykan Lake. It's best known as the home of the
Sandamuni
Buddha
,saidtodatefrom308BC.Theimagehadbeencoveredincement-possiblytohide
it from marauding British troops in the 1850s - then forgotten about until one of the eyes fell
out in 1988, revealing the original statue hidden within. There's also a small museum here
