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BUPAYA PAGODA

Standing on the brink of Irrawaddy River at Bagan, above rows of crenelated terraces, this BUPAYA PAGODA is a conspicuous landmark to navigators. It is one of the most notable shrines among the thousands of new or ruined Pagodas in Bagan, which is located about 90 miles (140 km) below Mandalay.

BACKGROUND

Tradition attributes the BUPAYA PAGODA to King Pyusawhti, the third King of Bagan, who ruled Bagan Dynasty in 168 to 243 A.D. Stylistically it may be ascribed to about 11th Century A.D. Within its precincts is a shrine dedicated to the GOD of Storms (Mondaing Natt).

STRUCTURE

The dome resembles the form of a cylindrical relic casket. Above it stands on bold convex band upon which rises a tapering stupa finial.

In keeping with the tradition of building pagodas in Myanmar, the BUPAYA PAGODA also conformed to the norms set for such structures. The pagoda had a massive gravity type pyramidal profile. It was built with bricks and impressively decorated. It is a bell-shaped dome built over diminishing terraces. A finial crowned the dome. The pagoda enshrined Buddha’s relics.

THE RECONSTRUCTION

The original pagoda was completely destroyed in the 1975 earthquake. As result of this earthquake, the bulbous pagoda broke into pieces and fell into the river. It was, however, fully reconstructed using modern materials, with lesser adherence to the original design. Subsequently it was built as a gilded superstructure. The new design is a hollow reinforced concrete structure (replacing the traditional brick structure of the past). It has been built on the traditional plan of a polygonal base. The pagoda raises up in “a series of crenelated semi-circular terraces overlooking the river”. It is now fully gilded.

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