Dhammayazika Pagoda, Buddhist temple in Pwasaw, Bagan, Myanmar.
Dhammayazika Pagoda is a religious structure in Pwasaw, on the southeastern edge of Bagan in Myanmar, built on a circular plan with three brick terraces rising toward a central stupa. Smaller domes sit at the corners of each terrace, surrounding the main stupa on all sides.
The pagoda was commissioned by King Narapatisithu in 1196, during a period when temple building in the Bagan Kingdom was at its height. It is one of the later large structures from that era, built not long before the kingdom's power began to decline.
The terracotta tiles covering the outer walls show scenes from the Jataka stories, which depict episodes from the Buddha's past lives. Visitors who take time to look closely can follow these teachings through the images without needing any prior knowledge.
Shoes must be removed before entering the grounds, and bringing water is a good idea since the heat in Bagan can be very strong. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon makes the walk around the site more comfortable and the light easier on the eyes.
Almost every temple and pagoda in Bagan follows a rectangular or square plan, but this one was built on a circular base, which is rare across the entire region. Walking around it gives a different sense of the structure than most other sites in Bagan do.
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