Manuha Temple

Manuha Temple is a brick structure that houses four large Buddha statues in separate interior chambers. The reclining Buddha occupies a room with a very low ceiling, while three seated figures are positioned in other compartments.

A captured Mon ruler constructed this temple in 1067 using money obtained by selling his valuable belongings. The temple's creation during his captivity marks an important moment in Bagan's early religious building period.

The temple reflects how Buddhists interact with sacred Buddha figures through daily devotion. Visitors notice people leaving flowers and lighting candles before the statues, showing the place remains alive with spiritual practice.

Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, which is standard practice at Buddhist temples. The interior rooms are cramped and ceilings are low, so moving slowly and carefully helps avoid bumping into the structures.

The Buddha statues are unusually large for the limited space containing them. This cramped arrangement creates an intense experience when viewing the figures and makes the visit memorable.