Early 13th century Merit of King Narapati Sithu (r. 1173-1210) completed by King Htilominlo (r. 1210-1235)
One of the most graceful of Bagan’s temples is the 180 ft-high Gawtawpalin. ‘Gadaw’ means an act of obeisance. Various myths surround it, that it was built as an apology to ancestors or that it was to ask pardon of an angered abbot.
The inner walls were painted with murals at one time but had been covered by whitewash, no one knows when; it is considered great merit to turn old things to new and so damaged pagodas and temples are often made over.
