Koe-thaung Temple, Buddhist temple in Mrauk U, Myanmar.
Koe-thaung Temple is a Buddhist structure in Mrauk U built with thick stone walls and featuring five descending terraces packed with small stupas. The design creates a series of passageways and chambers throughout the building to hold numerous Buddha representations.
King Min Dikkha commissioned this structure in 1553 as an act of religious merit-making, a common practice among Myanmar's ruling families at that time. The construction reflected the importance of temple building in Mrauk U's development as a major religious center.
The interior walls display thousands of Buddha images in different styles and sizes, revealing how deeply this figure is woven into the visual and spiritual life of the place. These varied representations show the artistic traditions that flourished in this region over centuries.
Restoration work began in 1996 and included a temporary roof over the entrance area to shield it from weather damage. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes due to uneven stone surfaces and be prepared for the partially excavated nature of the site.
The name translates to 'shrine of the 90,000 Buddha images,' a reference to the enormous number of representations that once filled the interior. This designation reveals the scale of artistic effort and religious devotion that went into creating this remarkable collection.
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