Late 11th century
Merit of King Kyansittha (r. 1084-1112)
Chronicles record the site of this temple as where Kyansittha, while on the run, was protected by a Naga serpent-dragon coiling around him and spreading his hood as he slept.
The large temple, 137 ft by 83 ft, is considered to be the prototype for his later merit, the graceful Ananda temple. Wall paintings show the Buddha’s life story and the theme is complete of Theravada Buddhism. This temple is believed to have been built at the same time as the Abeyadana Temple which lies about 100 yards away, the merit of his chief queen who was a Mahayana Buddhist. Perhaps the two temples were built with the affectionate understanding that each has the freedom to be of a different faith.
