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The Nathlaung Kyaung Temple (Burmese: နတ္လ္ဟောင္က္ယောင္း; IPA: [naʔl̥aʊ̀n ʧáʊn]; literally "shrine confining the spirits") is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Bagan, Myanmar. It is located west of the Thatbyinnyu Temple, and is the only remaining Hindu temple in Bagan. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Bagan, and was built in the 1000s, during the reign of King Anawratha. However, some historians believe the temple may have been built in the 900s, during the reign of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan (also known as Taungthugyi). The temple was originally built for Hindu Burmese Indians, including merchants and Brahmins. Many structures of the original temple have disappeared, although the main hall remains. Originally, the temple contained statues of the 10 avatars of Vishnu, including Gautama Buddha; however, today, only seven remain. The temple was isolated and unrepaired for many years, as it was not Buddhist in origin.
[edit] References
- [1955] (1975) Pictorial Guide to Pagan. Rangoon: Ministry of Culture.
- Fiala, Robert D. (2003). Nathlaung Kyaung (c. 931). Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
