Ananda Temple

Ananda Temple is one of the most famous temples of Bagan constructed in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty. One of the surviving temples of Bagan, this temple has a marvellous layout. It is designed in the form of a cruciform where the terraces lead to a small pagoda at the top. The top is covered with an umbrella called ‘hti’ which is a typical feature of almost all pagodas in Myanmar. Ananda Temple houses 4 standing Buddhas, each facing one cardinal direction. The temple is impressive and should not be missed. Apart from the 4 Buddha statues, Ananda Temple contains innumerable plaques made from glazed terra-cotta tiles. Each plaque represents one story of the Jataka. The temple also houses innumerable stone sculptures both outside and inside the temple. In fact, the inner side of the temple has around 1500 statues. You can also see innumerable wall paintings inside the temple prayer halls, all holding immense historic value. There is a field museum in the temple where you can get a glimpse of ancient artefacts and learn about the history of Bagan