Ananda Buddhist Temple- Myanmar (Burma)

Address

Ananda Buddhist Temple- Old Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

Deity

Buddha

Introduction

• Location: Bagan, Myanmar.
• Religion: Buddhist.
• Built: 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty.
• Architecture: Cruciform layout with terraces leading to a small pagoda topped by an umbrella (hti).
• Buddhas: The temple houses four standing Buddhas facing each cardinal direction (East, North, West, South).
• Style: Fusion of Mon and Indian architectural styles.
• Nickname: Known as the “Westminster Abbey of Burma.”
• Damage & Restoration: Damaged in the 1975 earthquake but fully restored and well-maintained.
• Anniversary: Spires gilded in 1990 during the 900th anniversary of its construction.

Puranic Significance

• History: Credited to King Kyansittha, marking the transition from Early to Middle Bagan period.
• Name Origin:
  • Named after Venerable Ananda, Buddha’s cousin and devoted attendant.
  • Once known as Ananta Temple, derived from Sanskrit “ananta pinya” (endless wisdom).
  • “Ananda” in Pali and Sanskrit means “bliss.”
• Legend:
  • Eight monks described the Nandamula Cave in the Himalayas to King Kyansittha.
  • Pleased with their skills, the king asked them to build a temple with cool conditions.
  • After completion, the king had the monks killed to ensure the uniqueness of the temple.

Special Features

• Temple Structure:
  • Simple corridor layout with a central square of 53 meters.
  • Four gabled porches project 57 feet from the square.
  • The temple’s terraces lead to a pagoda topped with an hti (umbrella ornament).
• Buddha Statues:
  • Four standing Buddhas, each 9.5 meters tall, made of solid teak wood.
  • Each faces a cardinal direction:
    • Kassapa (South-facing).
    • Kakusandha (North-facing).
    • Konagamana (East-facing).
    • Gautama (West-facing).
  • South and North Buddhas are original, while East and West are replacements.
• Plaques:
  • Glazed terra-cotta tiles depicting Jataka tales (Buddhist stories) line the temple’s walls and terraces.
• Stone Sculptures:
  • 1500 stone images inside the temple, though many are worn and unclear.

Festivals

• Annual Festival: Held for a week during Pyahto (December–January).
• Monk Participation: 1000 monks chant scriptures for 72 hours.
• Villager Involvement: Thousands of villagers set up encampments around the temple.
• Full Moon Offering: On the full moon day, villagers offer gift bowls to the monks.

Century/Period/Age

1105 AD

Managed By

Department of Archaeology, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Nearest Bus Station

Bagan

Nearest Railway Station

Bagan Station

Nearest Airport

Nyaung-U (NYU)

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