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Dhammayangyi Temple

Bagan Archeological Zone, Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

Reclining Buddha at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Myanmar (Burma) // Bagan Myanmar (Burma)· Buddhist Art & Architecture· Pagodas Temples Wats & Stupas· Southeast Asia· UNESCO World Heritage Sites Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

Dating back to the 12th century, Dhammayangyi Temple is the largest temple in Bagan. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the most impressive. It was never fully finished, and it hasn’t received the same restoration attention as many of the other large temples (which might be a good thing, depending on your perspective). Its tower is partially in ruins, and what remains looks much like a pyramid.

It shares many similarities with the more famous–and much more visited–Ananda Temple. Like the Ananda Temple, the base of Dhammayan-Gyi is shaped like a giant cross, with four entrance halls, each facing a cardinal direction and each of equal size. Inside, two concentric rings run around the core, but for some reason the innermost chambers were permanently sealed up from the beginning–archeologists aren’t sure why–so you can only access some of the interior.

One of the pillars of the temple features an inscription that dates to 1165 or 1166 which records the donations a princess made on her mother’s behalf. It wasn’t some simple cash donation–it includes female singer and dancer slaves, gardens, paddy fields, and cattle. There are a few other inscriptions throughout that date to the early 13th century.

Over the subsequent centuries, some paintings were added to the walls. They’re in various states of disrepair now and aren’t as ornate as some you’ll find in other temples. But the red brick work is worth looking closely at–it’s especially good and renowned for the fine precision in how the bricks fit together without any visible mortar. The oft-repeated claim is that the masons were instructed to build it so that a pin could not pass between any two bricks. You’ll also find a reclining Buddha partially covered with tabs of gold leaf, a distinctive pair of Buddha statues, and in one corner of the compound are the ruins of a two-story monastery.

Photos of Dhammayangyi Temple

Doorway at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Buddha Statue at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Buddha Statue at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Buddha Statue at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Wall Paintings at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Paintings on the Wall in Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Gold Leaf at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Buddha Statue at Dhammayan Gyi Phaya Temple

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

What to Know Before You Go

  • As with most Burmese names, you’ll see it rendered in English in different ways, including Dhammayan Gyi and Dhammayan-Gyi Phaya.
  • Take a flashlight (torch). It’s dark inside.
  • It’s close to Old Bagan and the Ananda Temple.
  • Mind the bats! (And take care not to come into contact with them or their droppings if at all possible.)
My location
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Where to Next?

  • Buddha Statue in Manuha Temple in Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Manuha Temple
  • Gold Statue of Gautama Buddha in Htilominlo Temple in Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)
    Htilominlo Temple
  • Ananda Temple, Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Ananda Temple
  • Dragon and Elephant Statue at Abeyadana Temple in Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Apeyadana Temple
  • View from the Terraces of Thisa-wadi Temple, Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Thisa-wadi Temple
  • Pagodas of Bagan, Myanmar
    Thatbyinnyu Temple
  • Buddha Statue at Naga Yon Hpaya Temple, Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Nagayon Temple
  • Renovated Stucco at Tayok Pye Temple, Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
    Tayok Pye Temple
  • Taungbi Village Pagoda, Old Bagan Myanmar (Burma)
    Taungbi Village Pagoda


Travel Advice for Myanmar (Burma)

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Myanmar (Burma) (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Myanmar (Burma) here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Myanmar (Burma) here.



Traveling to Bagan?

Very few of the temples, pagodas, or stupas in the Bagan Archeological Zone have any information about them on site. And with literally thousands of sites to choose from, it's handy to go armed with information on what to see and where to start--especially for independent travelers without a guide.

If you're looking for something that goes beyond the patchy information in the standard guide books, I've found these to be good:

David Raezer and Jennifer Raezer, Myanmar (Burma): Temples of Bagan
Approach Guides, 2017
Kindle

With maps, diagrams, and pictures, it's pitched as a "travel guidebook for the ultra curious." It offers detailed profiles of 21 of the major sites. It's an especially good option if you traveling with a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone and don't want to take up any space in your luggage or deal with the extra weight of a hard copy.



David M. Stadtner, Ancient Pagan: Buddhist Plain of Merit
Bangkok: River Books, 2013
Paperback

Written by a former professor of Art History who has authored many books on Indian and Burmese art, this book offers authoritative and detailed information on not just the architecture and art of the temples of Bagan but also the history of the region. It focuses on 33 of the major sites. Its photos by Michael Freeman are a standout feature. It's only available in paperback.



Ma Thanegi, Bagan Mystique
Yangon: Tanintaye Sarpay, 2011
Paperback

Ma Thanegi is a Burmese writer and journalist. The book doesn't offer the level of detail of the other two and is harder to find in the West, but it still offers useful summaries of a number of the major sites. It's available in paperback only (when you can find it).



Director of Archaeological Survey (Burma), A Pictorial Guide to Pagan
Rangoon: Ministry of Union Culture, 2nd rev. ed. 1963

This is a guide compiled under the auspices of the Burmese government in the mid-1950s and early-1960s. Despite being quite outdated, it has its own value with background on a number of pagodas and temples as well as fascinating historical photos of how the monuments looked in the middle of 20th century--sometimes quite different to how they appear today after being renovated. It's long out of print and hard to find, but I've scanned it and posted it here.



Maps: When you get to Bagan, there are good local maps available for free at the hotels that show many of the major sites.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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Location: Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan
Country: Myanmar (Burma)
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 21.16210189
      Longitude: 94.87244650

      # Bagan Myanmar (Burma)
      # Buddhist Art & Architecture
      # Pagodas Temples Wats & Stupas
      # Southeast Asia
      # UNESCO World Heritage Sites



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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