RP287 The Temples of Bagan

 RP287 The Temples of Bagan

The temples of the ancient city of Bagan, Myanmar, spread across a 16-month area and span more than two hundred years. Founded in the second century A.D., Bagan remained a minor city until the late 800s, when it became the capital of the kingdom of Bagan, or the Myanmar Dynasty. It wasn't for a few more centuries, though, that it became the important Buddhist site upon which such imposing temples could grow. In the 11th to 13th centuries, the kingdom of Bagan was wealthy and powerful. Its capital, Bagan, became a center of Buddhist learning. Bagan's kings showed off their riches and their love of religion through their magnificent temples.

There are over 2,000 temples in Bagan today, but there were twice as many at the end of the 13th century, at the height of Bagan's power and influence. Over time, temples crumbled and collapsed. Many were destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1975, which knocked entire temples to the ground.

The temples that remain have different architectural styles. The earliest temples are simple, bulb-like domes. Later, the domes were placed on three square terraces, each larger than the one above it. Later still, the domes were placed atop round, decorated disk shapes, and the supporting terraces were rounded. Naturally, the Bagan kingdom was influenced by the architectural styles of other Buddhist nations, notably India. These temples were built by slaves owned by the kings and the monasteries. The temples are impressive structures, but as impressive and appealing are the paintings, murals, and stone inscriptions inside.

Bagan is often compared to Angkor Wat, the famous temple complex. None of Bagan's temples are as large as the main hall at Angkor Wat, but their beauty and their concentration over such a small area make them remarkable. Because Bagan is now so isolated, it doesn't get nearly as many visitors as Angkor Wat. Lucky visitors to Bagan often feel as though they have the entire wondrous city to themselves!