Htilominlo Temple, Bagan

Htilominlo Temple, Bagan (25 November, 2003)


Htilominlo Temple, also called Htilominlo Pahto, is the last Bamar-style temple built in Bagan. It is located 1.5km from Bagan old town, on the way to Nyaung U village. Htilominlo Pahto was built around 1211 by King Nadaungmya (also written Nandaungmyar, Nantaungmya and also called King Htilominlo) (A.D 1211-1230). Nandaungmyar was the son of King Narapatisithu's concubines.

Among the five sons of the king, he had the great fortune of being chosen crown price because, by tradition, the white umbrella tilted toward him. So he became his father's successor. "Htilominlo" comes from the Mon words "Tri Lawka Mingalar", which means "the most prestigious place among the three phases". He and his four other brothers created the Council of Ministers to determine state policy. The council is called Hluttaw, and is still used today for Myanmar's parliament.

Htilominlo Temple is a large temple of red brick and stone standing 46 m (150 ft) high on a low platform. Htilomino Temple is one of the largest temples of Bagan and is noted for its fine plaster carvings. There are fine murals on the interior walls. Htilominlo was originally covered in carved white stucco. Some of this finely detailed plaster still remains.

Htilominlo is similar in design and even in detail to the earlier Sulamani Pahto and the Gawdawpalin both built by King Nandaungmyar's father. Each side of Htilominlo's square base is 140 feet. There are receding square terraces with stupas or spires at each corner on the second and third levels of Htilominlo. The main shrine entrance hall is extended on the eastern side of the structure.

There are four Buddhas images on the ground floor that face the four cardinal directions and four more on the first floor (but entrance to the upper levels is no longer open to the general public). Compared to the Sulamani, the lower ambulatory of Htilominlo has a greater feeling of verticality. There are the remains of fine murals on the interior walls. The Htilominlo was damaged in the earthquake of l975, and was repaired between 1976-1979.

To photograph the spire of Htilominlo Temple, I had to stand as far back as possible, though there are trees blocking the view (25 November, 2003)


The compound of Htilominlo Temple was hot and dusty in the late afternoon, yet we had to be barefooted as it is a sacred site (25 November, 2003)


A motorcyclist at the compound of Htilominlo Temple. (25 November, 2003)

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