Address

Bagan Ananda Pahto Temple, Myanmar

Anawrahta Rd, Old Bagan,

Myanmar (Burma)

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

The Ananda Pahto, or Phaya, was the first of Bagan’s great temples, and remains one of the finest, and most beautiful, of all of Bagan’s architectural complexes. It is a symmetrical masterpiece of Mon architectural style and, with some North Indian influence, reflects the transition from the Early to the Middle period of Bagan architecture. Located just to the east of the old city walls, its square-based beehive-like sikhara crown and hti umbrella, gilded to mark the temple’s 900th anniversary in 1990, and expansive whitewashed temple structure dominate the surrounding countryside. Paul Strachan, one of the foremost experts on the architecture of Bagan, has suggested that “none can rival the Ananda as an experience that enriches.” Heavily damaged in the devastating earthquake of 1975, it has been carefully restored.

Puranic Significance

The temple was completed during the reign of King Kyanzittha (r. 1084-1113), who reportedly was inspired by eight visiting Indian monks and their story of earlier life in the legendary Nanadamula cave in the Himalayas. The Ananda both sought to recreate a vision of this cave and reflect the endless wisdom of the Buddha. It also inspired the temple-building of later rulers who constructed their own works of merit.

The Ananda is surrounded by an enclosing wall and four integrated arched gateways containing guardian deities in the seated lalitasana position. Since it has always also served as a monastery there are also a number of associated buildings within the enclosure wall.

The Ananda is a perfectly proportioned Greek cross structure and beautifully symmetrical in form, including its vestibules and gabled portico entryways with stupa finials. It has a central square measuring approximately 175 ft (53 m) along each side. The main mass of the building is approximately 35 ft (10.5 m) high and contains two tiers of windows. The central tower soars 167 ft (51 m). There are six receding terraces; the lower terraces have a complete numbered set of 537 jataka plaques numbered in the Pali language, while there is a further set of 375 Mon language plaques depicting the last ten Jataka on the upper terraces retelling jataka scenes from the life of the Buddha. Including those on the interior, this is the largest Bagan collection of terracotta tiles. Four smaller stupas mimic the central sikhara crown at each corner of the second main level, and several tiers of windows help illuminate the inner corridors. It is in constant use and is in good repair. The stucco and other parts and features of the temple were restored in the late 18th century in the Middle Konbaung era style.

The central cube contains two parallel ambulatories around the central core contain arched niches in the wall to contain images of the Buddha; over 80 instructional sandstone relief scenes in the outer corridor depict the life of the Buddha from his birth until his enlightenment. Four impressive gilded teak (30 ft., 9.5m) standing Buddhas, facing the four cardinal directions, represent the Buddhas who have attained enlightenment in the present kalpa, or world cycle. The images facing north and south are contemporaneous with the building, while the east and west images replace figures destroyed by fire or temple thieves a hundred years ago; there are differences of opinion on this, however. Paul Strachan indicates that the east and west images were extensively repaired in the late 18th century when the temple was refurbished. They are done in the later Mandalay Konbaung style. The robes of the later images are rather different from the earlier one. Although the inner walls are mostly whitewashed, there is evidence that originally they also contained a number of murals.

Festivals

The annual Ananda Paya Festival, held during three days during the full moon of Pyatho (December-January) to raise money for the upkeep of the temple, bring thousands from all parts of the country.