Description of the attraction
The most majestic and highest temple of Bagan is called Thatbiynyui. It was erected in 1144 by order of the local ruler Alaung Sithu. From time immemorial, local children have been singing a song that mentions the distinctive features of the temples of Bagan. Thatbiynyui is considered the most representative and original decorated of all. The height of this temple is 64 meters.
The name of the temple in translation from Burmese means "Omniscience". Thus, one of the qualities of the Buddha was noted. The temple complex of Thatbiinyui consists of a stupa with open terraces, a monastery complex and a library. There are seven terraces in the temple. A sculptural image of Buddha is installed on the top. It is made of stone. The head of the statue shattered in an earthquake that destroyed a number of buildings in Bagan in 1975. However, there is a silver lining: inside the statue, they found a small sculpture of Buddha made of dolomite, which is now kept in the local Archaeological Museum.
In the Thatbiynyui complex, you can find another temple located in a cave. It is called the Guyojo Pagoda. According to local legend, the Guyojo stupa was built from building materials left over from the erection of the main stupa. The foremen wanted to calculate how many bricks would be used to build the main temple. Therefore, construction workers counted 10 thousand bricks and stacked one separately. These bricks were used to build the Guyojo Pagoda.
Another attraction of Thatbiinyu is the elaborately carved gate that was built for the huge bronze bell that has been lost.
