Estimated 11th century
Merit of King Anawrahta (r. 1044-1077)
The 86 ft-high pagoda lies on a hill on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Foreign ships once moored here in ancient times. The lower reaches of the river and the delta did not seem to be as silted up as now and it is believed that sea-faring vessels could sail up to this port.
Taking a short visit to the temple on a Bagan tour, you will have a chance to discover several interesting stories. Old chronicles state that a hair relic of the Buddha was enshrined here. The oldest Buddha footprint in stone was discovered there, now on display at the Bagan Archaeological Museum. One of the two stone inscriptions dated 1207, mentions a monastery built by King Anawrahta, and gives the name of this pagoda.
