Pahtothamya Buddhist Temple – Myanmar (Burma)

Address

Pahtothamya Buddhist Temple – Pagan (Old Bagan) Myanmar (Burma)

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Pahtothamya temple is one of the oldest temples of Bagan. The Pahtothamya Temple (also spelt Pathothamya) is a small, single-storey temple located to the west of Thatbyinnyu and Nathlaung Kyaung temples. Its interior is dimly lit, typical of the early type of Pyu-influenced temples with their small, perforated stone windows. Pahtothamya temple has a long-hall which lengthens towards the East. The interior walls of the Pahtothamya contain remnants of some of the oldest mural paintings in Bagan. The temple is often closed to protect the murals. The temple located near the South border of old Bagan was damaged by the 1975 earthquake, and has been partially restored since.

Puranic Significance

Pahtothamya (or Thamya Pahto) was probably built during the reign of King Kyansittha (1084-1113). The interior of this single-storey building is dimly lit, typical of the early type of Pyu-influenced temples with their small, perforated stone windows. In its vertical superstructure and lotus-bud sikhara, however, the monument is clearly beginning to move forward from the early period. The numerous mural paintings in the interior walls of the Pahtothamya are among the earliest of Bagan. Although the paintings that depict scenes from the previous lives of Buddha are not in good condition. The temple has a square main block and a rectangular vaulted hall that lengthens towards the East. There is a single square room surrounded by a corridor in the center of the temple. This room enshrines three images of the Buddha in the “Calling the Earth to witness” posture. In the dark inner sanctum, two small Buddha statues flank the large central image seated on a high pedestal, wearing a red robe. There used to be Buddha statues in all niches inside the temple. Today there are only five niches enshrining original stone statues of Buddha. And to preserve the remaining images, murals and inscriptions, the temple is often locked.

Special Features

The Pahtothamya is a small, single storey temple oriented towards the East. On the East side is a vaulted antechamber protruding out of the structure with a main entrance and a smaller entrance on each of the sides. The temple’s interior is fairly dark; some daylight comes in through the small holes of perforated stone windows. In the center of the temple is a single square room surrounded by a corridor. The room enshrines three images of the Buddha in the “Calling the Earth to witness” posture. The large central image seated on a high pedestal wearing a red robe is flanked by two smaller ones. The stucco on the outer walls has largely disappeared. In the interior some of the stucco remains.