Dhammayangyi Temple

MYANMAR, Mandalay, Bagan

Dhammayangyi, which means Garden of Dharma, is the largest brick temple in Bagan. There are different accounts of the origin of the temple: one states that the temple was built by King Narathu (reigned circa 1167–1170), while another suggests that the founder was his father King Alaungsithu (reigned circa 1112–1167).
The base of the temple is square with each side measuring 77.7 m. There are large projecting porticos on each side resulting in a multiple corners layout. The upper part of the temple has a pyramid shape, which is formed by a series of terraces. There are also smaller porticos on each side. At the corners there are ancillary pagodas, which are plain and just the bases of the spires remain. Only the plain base of the spire at the apex of the pyramid still exists. The layout of this temple is similar to that of Ananda Temple.
There are two vaulted circumambulatory passages inside the temple but the inner circumambulatory is filled with rubble and is thus not accessible. Constructed with fine and closely-laid brickwork, the temple stands firm and undamaged despite the ravages of earthquakes.