The Ananda temple is one of Bagan’s best known and most beautiful temples. It was one of the first great temples to be build in Bagan and is well preserved. The temple is found near the Tharabar gate, the only gate remaining of the original 12 in the old Bagan city walls.
The Ananda Pagoda, also named Ananda Pahto and Ananda Phaya is a single storey structure built towards the end of the early Bagan period. The architectural style shows Mon and North Indian influence.
The temple’s most distinctive feature is the gilded sikhara, the tower like spire on top of the pagoda. The reflection of the gilded sikhara is visible from miles away over the Bagan plains. After dark the Ananda Pagoda is lit up by spotlights creating a mystical atmosphere.
The Ananda was damaged during the 1975 earthquake, and has been extensively restored since then.
Legend of the Ananda temple
A local legend tells the story of the founding of the Ananda temple. Towards the end of the 11th century eight monks from India visited Bagan. They were granted an audience by King Kyanzittha.
The monks told the King about a legendary cave temple in the Himalaya mountains and created a vision for the King to see the temple and the snowy landscape. The story and vision left the King very impressed and he decided to replicate the temple in Bagan. It is said that after the Ananda temple was completed, the King had the architects executed, to make sure anything like it could never be build again.
Architecture of the Ananda
The Ananda is an elegant, symmetrical structure with the layout of a Greek cross. One of the most noticeable and beautiful features is the gilded top called sikhara, that is placed on the center of the building. This tower like structure originates from North India and shows Indian influence in the architectural style of the Ananda.
The sikhara contains five niches on all sides placed over each other, each niche containing a Buddha image. On top of that is a hti, a spire ornament in the shape of an umbrella. The sikhara and hti were gilded in 1990 to mark the start of Ananda’s construction 9 centuries earlier. Total height of the structure including the hti is about 51 meters.
Ananda Pagoda
Name
Ananda pagoda, Ananda pahto, Ananda phaya
Date
1090 - 1105
King
Kyanzittha
Location
Just East of old Bagan city wall
Style
End of early Bagan period
Mon & North Indian influence
Single storey structure
Mon & North Indian influence
Single storey structure
Nearby
Thatbyinnyu temple