| Type of monument |
: Type III Temple |
| Location |
: Northeast of Nanpaya |
| Region |
: Myinkaba |
| Built by |
: King Manuha |
| Date |
: A.D 1059 |
| Monument Number |
: |
| Photo Gallery |
:
View 7 Photos |
The name "Manuha" was given after the Mon king from Thaton who
was held captive in Bagan by King Anawrahta. Legend says that Manuha
was allowed to build this temple in 1059, and that he constructed it
to represent his displeasure at captivity. The exterior and overall
floor plan resemble the more remote Kyauk Gu Ohnmin, a rectangular
box topped by a smaller rectangle. Inside three seated Buddhas face
the front of the building, and in the back there's a huge reclining
Parinibbana Buddha. All seem too large for their enclosures, and
their cramped, uncomfortable positions are said to represent the
stress and lack of comfort the 'captive king' had to endure.
However, these features are not unique in Bagan.It is said that only
the reclining Buddha, in the act of entering nibbana, has a smile on
its face, showing that for Manuha only death was a release from his
suffering.
One can climb to the top of this pagoda via the stairs at the
entrance to the reclining Buddha chamber, at the back of the temple.
Through a window you can then see the face of the sitting Buddha,
and from up at this level you'll realize that the gigantic face, so
grim from below, has an equally gigantic smile. During the
earthquake of 1975, the central roof collapsed, badly damaging the
largest, seated Buddha, which has since been repaired.
An outdoor corner of the temple compound is dedicated to Mt Popa's
presiding nats, Mae Wunna and her sons Min Lay and Min Gyi. Devotees
of Manuha Paya celebrate a large paya pwe (or pagoda festival) on
the full moon of Tabaung (which falls between February an March,
depending on the Lunar Calendar).
A short path leads past two recent statues of King Manuha and his
wife, Queen Ningala Devi to Nagayone.
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