Dhammayangyi Pahto, Bagan

Dhammayangyi Pahto, Bagan (25 November, 2003)


The Dhammayangyi Temple (also called Dhammayangyi Pahto, also written Dhamma-yan-gyi) is the biggest - as in thickest - of all the temples in Bagan.

Dhammayangyi Temple was built by King Narathu, who was actually second in line to the throne. However, while his father King Alaungsithu laid on his deathbed, Narathu smothered him in his bedclothes, and declared himself king. At that time, the rightful heir, Crown Prince Minshinsaw, was away from Bagan. Nevertheless, King Narathu's reign was brief, running from 1167-70, yet it was a period where Bagan saw a lot of bloodshed.

Within the ambulatory corridor of Dhammayangyi Temple (25 November, 2003)


Dhammayangyi Temple was built by King Narathu, after he had killed his father King Alaungsithu and proclaimed himself king. Concerned for his karma, King Narathu erected the Dhammayangyi Temple to atone for his misdeed. Narathu himself oversaw the construction. He was so zealous for its perfection that he would execute the masons executed if he could as much as push a needle between the bricks they had laid.

Still, Narathu never saw the temple to its completion, for he himself was assassinated. This was that had happened. Narathu had taken one of his father's wives as his own. This wife was an Indian princess from Pateikkaya. Displeased with her Hindu customs, he had her executed. In revenge, her father sent eight men disguised as Brahmans to Bagan. When King Narathu received them, they drew swords and killed him. Thereupon, the men committed suicide.

Tourists, Dhammayangyi Pahto (25 November, 2003)


The Dhammayangyi Temple is approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides, making it Bagan's most massive temple. Unlike other Bagan temples, the ambulatory of the Dhammayangyi and three of its four shrines were filled in with brick rubble, for reasons unknown. The temple sits within a square walled-up compound, with gates at each cardinal side. On one corner of the compound is a ruined monastery which had only its walls left. The exterior of Dhammayangyi Temple is similar to that of Ananda Temple and Thatbyinnyu Temple.

Thick walls of the Dhammayangyi Temple (25 November, 2003)


One of the gates of Dhammayangyi Temple (25 November, 2003)

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