Dhammayangyi Temple Description:
The Dhammayangyi Temple is the largest of the thousands of ancient Buddhist structures on the Bagan plain built by the Pagan Kingdom that ruled the region between the 9th and 13th centuries.
The massive structure rises above the arid Bagan plain resembling a Buddhist version of Egyptian pyramids. The structure was built using large stones closely joined together without using mortar. Some archaeologists theorize the lack of mortar led later rulers of the Pagan Kingdom to fill many of the superstructures interior passages with ruble to keep the gigantic building from collapsing under its own weight, while others believe it may have been done in spite - the ruler who ordered the construction of the temple was incredibly unpopular because of his violent nature.
The 12th century temple is believed to have been commissioned by King Narathu as a merit-making endeavor to atone for his bloody ascension to the throne. Narathu smothered his ailing father with a blanket, and then poisoned the newly crowned king, his elder brother Shin Saw, at the coronation feast. While Dhammayangyi was being built, Narathu murdered one of his wives in a fit of rage. The woman’s father, the ruler of a tributary Kingdom in current day Bangladesh, sent a group of assassins disguised as Brahmin priests who murdered the king in his throne room, and fell on their own swords before they could be captured.
Best Time to Visit Dhammayangyi Temple:
The best weather to explore the thousands of temple ruins on the Bagan plains is between November and May during the temperate dry season. The rainy season follows from June to October, which brings much needed moisture to the often parched plains.
How to get to Dhammayangyi Temple:
The Dhammayangyi Temple stands out because of its size, construction techniques, and bloody origins. It should not be missed while exploring the ruins left by the once powerful Kingdom of Pagan.
Dhammayangyi Temple Highlights:
The Dhammayangyi Temple dominates the skyline of the Bagan Plain within the ancient temple city of Bagan. Guests on our luxury tours of Myanmar reach the temple structure in a private vehicle while exploring the more than 2,000 intact structures of the lost Pagan Kingdom.
Though it is the largest structure on the plains, the Dhammayangyi Temple is rarely used for religious ceremonies or worship. Guests should still dress in modest clothing when visiting the temple as many of the other structures in the area are still very active Buddhist houses of worship, which require modest clothing covering shoulders to knees when entering.