Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the heritage city of Bagan (formerly called Pagan). For travel information about Bagan, go to Bagan Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Myanmar, read also the Myanmar Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
The Dhammayangyi Temple (also called Dhammayangyi Pahto, also written Dhamma-yan-gyi) is the biggest - as in thickest - of all the temples in Bagan. Dhammayangyi Temple was built by King Narathu, who was actually second in line to the throne. However, while his father King Alaungsithu laid on his deathbed, Narathu smothered him in his bedclothes, and declared himself king. At that time, the rightful heir, Crown Prince Minshinsaw, was away from Bagan. Nevertheless, King Narathu's reign was brief, running from 1167-70. Still, in this short time was much bloodshed.
Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan.
Concerned for his karma for having murdered his father, King Narathu built the Dhammayangyi Temple to atone for his misdeed. Narathu himself oversaw the construction of Dhammayangyi. He would have the masons executed if a needle could be pushed between the bricks that they laid.
Still, Narathu never saw the temple to its completion, for he himself was assassinated. This was that had happened. Narathu had taken one of his father's wives as his own. This wife was an Indian princess from Pateikkaya. Displeased with her Hindu customs, he had her executed. In revenge, her father sent eight men disguised as Brahmans to Bagan. When King Narathu received them, they drew swords and killed him. Thereupon, the men committed suicide.
The Dhammayangyi Temple is approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides, making it Bagan's most massive temple. Unlike other Bagan temples, the ambulatory of the Dhammayangyi and three of its four shrines were filled in with brick rubble, for reasons unknown.
Tourists in the cavernous interior of Dhammayangyi Temple.
Exploring the Sights in Bagan
Bagan was one of the first capitals of an ancient Burmese empire. Today it is one of the world's major heritage sites. Click enter to view the sights in Bagan.
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