An uncompleted temple yet still resisting through time, the great and mysterious Dhammayangyi attracts tourists from all over the world to come and discover its unfinished business. Read this article to provide yourself with most useful Myanmar travel tips if you plan on visiting this famous temple.
Up until now, Burmese archaeologists have listed over 2,000 temple and pagoda relics which need to be well-preserved. But this temple is a very special one. This religious structure is not only a valuable and attractive destination for worldwide tourists coming to visit Myanmar, but also a place to research about the history of the developing process of Buddhism-related culture, politics and society in this country. Although it has been left unfinished after three years of implementation, Dhammayangyi is still one of the biggest temples in Bagan and ideal for Myanmar guides.
Burmese people often make an interesting comparison between their most famous proud religious structures. Thatbyinniu Temple is most famous for its sacredness, Ananda Temple is the most graceful and Dhammayangyi Temple has been known for its gorgeousness. The Myanmar tour guide will lead you through all of these destinations.
The temple was in the collection of ancient Bagan architectural structures in the shape of a huge pyramid which dominates over other surrounding structures. This pyramid has a totally different shape compared to other traditional Buddhism temples in Myanmar. You can get some Myanmar travel tips from the local people, but until now, even they still have not got the answer to the question of why King Narathu had chose this type of architecture.
Built in 1170, Dhammayangyi Temple resembles a huge pyramid with six steps to each floors. However, this temple, like all of the popular architectural design in Burma information about Burmese temples and pagodas, has four big doors turning to four different directions. This temple also has the double corridor system in parallel with the temple cylinder in the central. Many systems of small windows were built to let the sunlight come through in the corridors surrounding.
The temple is 78 meters in width, while the core central part of the temple is also up to 25 meters wide, connected with each other through a large corridor system including domes and door systems. The technique to arrange bricks and make up the dome system above the corridor surrounding the temple goes to show that Burmese people in the ancient time had the skills and were very intelligent. A good Myanmar travel tips for you is that you should go around and explore these features. Each main door of the temple was set with Buddha statues with different shapes and sizes. All of the statues were gilded gloriously. There are also many niches and stands to arrange smaller Buddha statues.
Perhaps King Narathu could not imagine that this gorgeous structure would never be completed. After holding the rein for three years, he was assassinated and from then, this construction were ceased from working. However, this temple is still a unique symbol among the collection of ancient Bagan, an outstanding recommendation for travel advice in Myanmar as well as a contribution to the history of development of temples and pagoda system in this region.
According to Burmese legends, after taking the throne by eliminating his father and brother, King Narathu started to construct this temple to worship the Buddha and repent for all of his sins. In the work, there was a door whereas two statues were set on either side, one of the King’s father and the other was of his brother. Burmese people said that this King had been very strict during the time of constructing. He was about to cut the hands of any workers if they did not perform well. All the bricks needed to be tightly arranged against each other so that not even a needle can fit through. Joining in a Myanmar adventure tour, you will get the chance to learn more about the legend from the local people.
While exploring this construction, there was a myth which told tales about unfortunate workers who couldn’t stand the king’s strict rules any longer and therefore were buried inside the walls of brick somewhere in the temple. With Myanmar travel guides, you can even find out more interesting information about this place.
If you have a chance to travel with some Myanmar travel tips and set your feet on cool corridors and discover the interior of the temple, you will understand why this temple has been so attractive to both international and domestic tourists despite the fact that it has remained unfinished. The gorgeousness and mysteriousness of Dhammayangyi temple will be the most profound impression to hold you captivated.
