Bagan
Bagan was the capital of the first unified Empire of Anawrahta founded in 849
AD, and flourished from 1044 to the 13th century. Within an area of 42 km
thousands of pagodas were built. The inventory of Bagan pagodas as documented by
the Archeological Department listed the standing pagodas as 2217. In spite of
inclement weather of a thousand year, which had destroyed, the precious works of
art, whatever survived to this day still thrill the beholders. Notable among the
ancient glory are Shwezigone, Ananda, Thabyinnyu and Dhammayangyi.
Bagan is just 193 km south of Mandalay in Upper Myanmar. It is on the
eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Known as the city of four million
pagodas, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Bagan city
covers an area of 42 sq.km. There, one can find over 2,000 pagodas, temples and
monasteries built during the Bagan Dynasty founded by King Anawrahta in 1044 AD.
After unifying the country, Anawrahta accomplished another noble deed
for the country: he introduced Tharavada Buddhism into Myanmar with the help of
Shin Arahan, a missionary monk from Thaton. It was Buddhism that influenced the
rulers of Bagan Dynasty to build innumerable pagodas and temples in and around
the city. The endless pagodas stand testimony to the rich cultural heritage of
the Myanmars and also to the beauty and grandeur of ancient pagoda.
