Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
eighteenth-century Konbaung-era addition, with large figures (including a couple of huge re-
clining Buddhas) painted in an engagingly naïve style.
Pyathada Paya
Follow the dirt road past the Sulamani Paya for around 750m • Daily 8am-6pm
Buried away amid a labyrinth of dirt tracks in the depths of the Central Plain, the
Pyathada
Paya
is a singularly odd-looking late-period temple, with a large lower level and a small and
decidedlycursoryrooftopshrine-itactuallylooksasifonlythelowerhalfwasfinished,and
a much large upper storey originally intended. Whatever the reason, by serendipitous chance
this hasresulted inanunusually largeandspacious rooftopterrace, almost asifexpressly de-
signed for
sunset
viewing, which is what the temple is now best known for.
Dhammayazika Pagoda
3km northeast of New Bagan, off the Minnanthu Rd • Daily 8am-6pm
Stranded way out at the very edge of the archeological zone, a considerable distance from
any other major monument, the
Dhammayazika Pagoda
is a bit of a hike to reach but well
worththeeffort.Sittinginanattractivegarden-stylecompound,theimpressivelylargegilded
pagoda was built during the reign of Narapatisithu in 1198 to enshrine holy relics presented
by the ruler of Sri Lanka. The complex is notable mainly for its unusual
pentagonal lay-
out
, a design which can also be found at a few other Bagan temples, but nowhere else in the
Buddhist world.It'sthoughtthat thefive-sided structure resulted fromthedesire toprovidea
shrinetothefutureBuddhaMaitreyaalongsidethefour
Buddhas
ofthepresentworldcycle-
Kakusandha,Konagamana,KassapaandGautama-whoarecommonlyfoundinmostBagan
temples,oneateachcardinalpoint.Fivegatewaysleadintothefive-sidedenclosure,withthe
central stupa sitting on a pentagonal terrace. Standing around the base of the stupa are five
large and beautifully decorated shrines, each with a gilded Buddha and traces of Konbaung-
era murals inside, while four lions and a pair of seated guardian figures keep watch on the
roofs above, topped with intricately carved little shikhara-style towers. Fine stucco decora-
tion and glazed Jataka panels can be seen around the stupa terraces, which are also studded
with an unusual number of dragon-mouthed waterspouts.
Around Minnanthu
The cluster of low-key monuments between the Bagan Viewing Tower and the small village
of
MINNANTHU
isn't the most exciting in Bagan, although it's the quietest area within the
archeological zone and you'll most likely have many of the temples here largely to yourself.
Small examples of late-period architecture predominate, with some superb murals.
Nandamannya Paya and around
1km north of Minnanthu • Daily 8am-6pm (if the temple's locked, ask at the Payathonzu Paya for someone to
let you in)
