Dhammayazika Pagoda Place guide

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Bagan

Dhammayazika Pagoda

Bask in the Spendor of the Dhammayazika Pagoda

About

As one of the ancient capitals of Myanmar, it’s no wonder that Bagan is filled with a rich sense of culture and history. With several pagodas, temples and holy sites surrounding the city, visitors can literally take their pick of cultural sights and bask in the splendor of their long history. In particular, Dhammayazika Pagoda is a popular tourist spot due to its elaborate and unusual design compared to other pagodas. Dedicated to King Narapatisithu in the 12th century, this holy temple was build to enshrine several sacred Buddhist relics given to him by the King of Sri Langka.

Dhammayazika Pagoda distinguishes itself from other pagodas with its use of a pentagonal terrace design, as opposed to the square terraces of other Bagan pagodas. Normally, four Buddha statues are placed in each of the cardinal directions, depicting the four current Buddhas who have already reached enlightenment. The pentagonal style of this pagoda, however, has a small temple to each of the Buddhas, with a fifth temple dedicated to a Buddha that will one day reach Nirvana as well.

The pagoda itself is made out of brick and is composed of three main terraces, which shows scenes of the Jakatas or the Birth Stones of the Buddha. Despite its unique design, Dhammayazika Pagoda still radiates a sense of peace and serenity for all who visit its holy walls. What’s more, the temple has easy and manageable steps that make walking much easier for those who simply want to take a leisurely stroll through the grounds without tiring.

The pagoda itself is situated 8 km east of Old Bagan. Travelers can take a car down the Bagan-Chauk Road and turn left down Kakay St. upon reaching New Bagan. From there, it is a straight ride to the East Phwa Saw village until you reach Dhammayazika Pagoda. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and it is best to visit the pagoda early to avoid any huge crowds. Entrance to Dhammayazika Pagoda itself is free and is included in the 20 USD fee to enter the Bagan Achaeological Zone.

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