Gawdawpalin Temple - Bagan

Gawdawpalin Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Bagan, Myanmar. Construction of the pagoda began during the reign of Narapatisithu (1174–1211) and completed during the reign of Htilominlo (1121–1234). Gawdawpalin Temple is the second tallest temple in Bagan. The temple is similar in layout to Thatbyinnyu Temple. Gawdawpalin Temple is two storeys tall, and contains three lower terraces and four upper terraces. The temple was heavily damaged during the 1975 earthquake and was reconstructed in following years.

Gawdawpalin Temple is located about 3 miles south of the Bu Pagoda on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is about 180 feet high and the structure is common like the Sulamani temple.

History

The Gawdawpalin Temple was built by King Narapatisithu after building the Sulamani Temple. But the king did not complete the construction. It was completed by his son Htilominlo.

There is a story saying that King Narapatisithu became so powerful and so proud that he proclaimed that his powers were more glorious accomplished matched to his ancestors. Just after that, he became blind until he came to give his regards and his forebears made, paid obeisance in atonement for his misdemeanor. As a punishment for his sin his eyes turned blind. At the advice of the Brahmen astrologers at the court, the king made idols of his ancestors and placed them on the thrones. The King worshipped them asking forgiveness for his sin. He regained his sight. On the place where this ceremony took place was built Gawdaw-palin Pagoda. The name Gawdaw-palin literally means "the throne which was worshipped".

Gawdawpalin is counted as one of the largest shrines of Bagan. The temple is a double-storeyed temple in the late style. It is square in plan, with porticoes on all four sides, but with the eastern portico projecting further than the others. In the ground storey, a vaulted corridor runs around a central block against whose four sides are placed images of the Buddha.

There are four Buddha images on the upper storey and 10 Buddha images in the ground floor. At the north-east corner of the brick platform there is a stone image of sitting Buddha in a house. It is an original artwork. Due to lime wash by the devotees of later period frescoes are visible only very faintly. At the south-east corner of the precinct is an octagonal Pagoda with two bell posts and at the north-east corner is a zedi of later period.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawdawpalin_Temple

Images: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gawdawpalin