Address

Bagan Kathapa-hpaya, Myanmar

Nyaung-U, Bagan,

Myanmar (Burma)

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

Kathapa-Hpaya, formally known as Monument No. 505, stands a half kilometer northeast of Minnanthu village in an uncultivated field dotted with dozens of ruins. It is a typical middle-sized, late period temple measuring about 16 meters east-west and 12.5 meters north south. Its plan is shaped like a cross with openings on all four sides and a single large entrance hall projecting from the east. Typologically, it is gu (a temple with an interior that may be entered) capped with a sikhara superstructure.

Puranic Significance

The temple apart from its peers is the outstanding condition of its ornament. Writing in 1993, the art historian Pierre Pichard estimated that 60% of its exterior stucco moldings survive along with 60-70% of its interior mural paintings. While the mural paintings are off-limits (all four entrances are locked), the visitor may freely observe the exterior ornament. Most remarkably, all four faces of the sikhara tower are in an excellent state of preservation with over 90% of the original ornament intact. The only notable damage is on the north face where a mid-sized fragment of the lower register has fallen away.

The sikhara is fashioned as a gently tapering four-sided pyramid comprising many dozens of horizontal registers, fitted with a medial bas relief on each face. All four reliefs depict the Buddha seated in meditation amidst highly stylized vines and lianas that seem to swirl around his body like wisps of smoke. Above, the foliage shoots upward to form a treelike canopy that may represent the bodhi tree under which the Buddha obtained enlightenment. Birds and other animals nest in loops of foliage while a tame lion squats beneath each of the meditating Buddhas.

The interior of the temple comprises an entry hall measuring 3.57 x 3.77 meters connected via a wide passage to the central chamber which measures 4.35 x 4.47 meters. A large seated Buddha occupies the room, sitting cross-legged and resting against a freestanding screen wall. Prior to restoration the Buddha was headless and missing its left arm though both have been replaced. The walls, ceilings, and exposed surfaces are painted with numerous mural paintings depicting bodhi trees, the Jataka tales, and gridded patterns with figures. All are presently difficult to observe now that all four entrances are fitted with locked metal grilles, though the Buddha may be viewed from afar from the east-facing entrance.

About 60 meters southwest of the temple is a slightly larger “twin” temple that is also dated to the 13th century and was likely built around the same time. The quality of workmanship must have been inferior as only 20% of the exterior ornament survives along with 50% of the interior mural paintings. Its interior is also off-limits to visitors.

On the opposite side of the Kathapa-hpaya, about 20 meters to the northeast, is a small round stupa measuring 5 meters in diameter. Its upper portion was largely disintegrated prior to restoration. Given its proximity to the temple, it was likely part of the same complex.