Myazedi pagoda

The Myazedi pagoda is a gilded stupa sitting on a number of square receding tiers, located in Myinkaba village South of old Bagan.

The Myazedi was built during the first half of the 12^th century by Prince Yazakumar to make merit and to serve as a memorial to his mother. The name of the paya translates to “Jade Pagoda”.

The famous Myazedi stone inscription that was discovered here is on display in a small building next to the pagoda.

The large gilded stupa & other structures

Flanking the stairs leading to the temple grounds are two large Chinthes, mythological lions often found guarding Burmese temples. The Myazedi pagoda and several other temple buildings stand on a large platform.

The Myazedi’s large gilded stupa is topped with a multi tiered ornamental spire called hti. The stupa sits on a number of square receding tiers. The first tier’s outer wall contains small ornamental niches topped with a golden hti spire in which are enshrined small images of the Buddha. The corners of the first and third tier are adorned with small ornamental spires, the second tier’s corners contain lion statues.

Right behind the pagoda are two more structures, a bell shaped stupa on a square base and a small temple structure topped with several hti’s.

Myazedi inscription

A small building next to the pagoda contains the famous Myazedi inscription, the oldest stone inscription in Burma, inscribed in 1113 by Yazakumar, son of King Kyanzittha and builder of the Myazedi. Prince Yazakumar dedicated the stone inscription to his father.

Inscribed in four languages
A large four sided stone is inscribed in four languages, ancient Pali, Mon, old Burmese and Pyu. Each side contains the same text in a different language, which allowed archaeologists to decipher the previously unknown Pyu language. The Pyu inscription also shows the influence of the Pyu, the earliest inhabitants of upper Burma, in early Bagan history.

Inscription content
The stone inscription tells the storey of the Prince and his father. Yazakumar was the only son of King Kyanzittha and would therefore be in line to be the next King of Bagan. The King however, who was unaware of the fact that he had a son because he had left his pregnant wife, had already chosen Alaungsithu to be his successor to the throne. He therefore appointed Yazakumar governor of Arakan, an area on the Bay of Bengal.

Getting to the pagoda

Other temples in Bagan

Among the other temples & pagodas in Bagan are:

• Shwezigon pagoda
• Ananda pagoda
• Gawdawpalin temple
• Sulamani temple
• Thatbyinnyu temple
• Seinnyet sister temples
• Bupaya pagoda
• Mahabodhi temple
• Htilominlo temple
• Mingalazedi pagoda
• Dhammayazika pagoda
• Dhammayangyi temple
• Lawkananda pagoda
• Manuha temple
• Pyathadar temple
• Pahtothamya temple
• Shwesandaw pagoda
• Gubyaukgyi temple

History

• History of Bagan

How to get to Bagan and how to get around

• Getting to Bagan
• Getting around Bagan