Description of the attraction
The construction of the Buddhist temple Gavdavpalin, located near the Archaeological Museum in Old Bagan, which is now turned into a large archaeological zone, began during the reign of King Narapatisithu (1174-1211) and was completed on March 26, 1227 already under his son King Khtilominlo (1211-1235).
The Gavdavpalin Temple is the second tallest sacred structure in Bagan after Thatbiinyu. The height of the temple is 55 meters, which corresponds to an 18-storey building. The two-storey Gavdavpalin has seven terraces. In its structure, it is similar to the temples of Thatbiynyu and Sulamani, which were built several years before Gavdavpalin. Unlike stupas, a hollow temple built in the gu style, which is exactly what Gavdavpalin is, is a building used for meditation, prayers to the Buddha and various rituals. It has a square shape and four entrances. The east porch protrudes slightly. On the ground floor, around the main hall, there is a wide corridor where images of sitting Buddhas are placed. The main hall measures 6, 95 x 11, 72 meters. The hall on the second floor is smaller, but it is there that the main shrine of the temple is located. Interestingly, the Gavdavpalin temple became the first Bagan sanctuary, in which the main relic was placed on the second floor.
The temple is surrounded by a low wall with four gates.
During the earthquake in 1975, the temple was partially destroyed, but was rebuilt in the following years. The main hollow tower is made of concrete.
Beggars constantly gather around the temple, begging for alms. Merchants selling all sorts of little things ply right there. There is a stop nearby where you can hire a horse-drawn carriage.
