Bupaya pagoda

Gilded pagoda on the banks of the Irrawaddy river

BAGAN TEMPLES OVERVIEW

Name

Bupaya pagoda, Buphaya pagoda, Bu Phaya, Bupaya phaya

Date

300

King

Pyusawhti

Location

North West corner of walled old Bagan, on the banks of the Irrawaddy river

Style

Pyu style
Indian influence

Nearby

Mahabodhi, Gawdawpalin

Although not one of Bagan’s most impressive monuments, the Bupaya pagoda is an attractive monument because of its age and its location on the banks of the Irrawaddy river. The gilded pagoda is built in Pyu style, which is a descendant from the Indian style stupa.

One of the oldest monuments

The Bupaya Pagoda is one of the earliest monuments on the Bagan plains, although it is not known with certainty when exactly it was build. According to a sign at the entrance the pagoda dates back to the year 300.

Judging from the style of the pagoda, it seems likely that it dates from the 9^th century, when the city of Bagan was founded or the 11^th century, when the city walls were build.

The legend of the Bupaya Pagoda

The Bupaya pagoda is believed to be build by King Pyusawhti, who ruled Bagan during the end of the 3^rd century. According to local legend Pyusawhti, before he was King, managed to free the Bagan Kingdom of five nuisances, one of which was the infestation of the Irrawaddy river banks by the bu, a kind of gourd plant.

As a reward he was given the hand of the King’s daughter. It is said that when Pyusawhti became King, he build the pagoda at the spot where the bu plant was eradicated. Buddhist relics were enshrined in the pagoda. With bu meaning gourd and phaya meaning pagoda, Bupaya Pahto literally means pagoda shaped like a gourd. The structure is in the shape of a bulbous dome and somewhat resembles the fruit of a gourd plant.

The cylindrical stupa sits on top of a number of terraces, that looks like a fortress like structure when viewed from the river. On top is a gilded hti, a finial shaped as an umbrella found on almost all Burmese temples.

Reconstruction after the 1975 earthquake

During the 1975 earthquake the original brick structure broke up and fell into the river. The pagoda standing today is a reconstruction of the original. Whereas the original was made of brick, the new one is a concrete structure and has been completely gilded.

Guarded by Chinthes

The temple grounds entrance is guarded by two white and gold Chinthes, Burmese mythological lions. On the grounds are also a number of very ornate pavilions.

The busy area around the temple is full of market stalls, ox carts and taxis. On the river banks are boats that can be chartered for a cruise along the Irrawaddy river.

Getting to the pagoda

Check out Getting around Bagan for ways to get to the Bupaya.

Other temples in Bagan

Among the other temples & pagodas in Bagan are:

History

History of Bagan