According to King Manuha's inscriptions, Manuha Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bagan,it is a rectangular building of two storeys temple built in Myinkaba by captive Mon King Manuha in 1067. The lithic inscription which recorded its history is now kept in the shed inside the Mandalay Palace Cily. According to that inscription the Manuha Buddha Image was made and dedicated by Manuha, king of Thaton.
The king sold his ruby ring named "Mano Maya" to the rich man of Myin Kaba who paid six bullock carts' load of fine pure silver as price for it. With that money the king made a big Buddha on a highland named "Thiri Zeya Bumi" which was on the north-east of Loka Nanda, the jetty where the sacred Buddha's tooth relic arrived. He did this religious merit in cause he wished to attain Nivirna. But before attaining Nivirna, during the course of Samsara (Cycle of endless rebirths) he wished he would also be king whom enemies could never conquer.
The inscription goes on to mention that on Thursday the second waxing moon of the month of Wakhaung in the Sakarit year 429 (M. E) sacred relics were enshrined in the Image. The image of the Buddha entering Nivirna (dying Buddha) was made. It took 6 months and 6 days to complete the Image making. Around the Image were grown coconut, palm, mango, and jack fruit trees and flowering plants which the king dedicated to the sacred Image. Facing east are three immense images of sitting Buddha. The middle image is 46 loot high whereas the two on its sides, each measuring 33 feet in height. At their back, facing west lies an incumbent. Buddha statue of 90 feet long, with the head laid towards the north. It is in Pari-nivirna mudra (dying posture).
Note:
Open daily and not have opening or closing time. You can visit at any time but should be in day time as it is quite dark after sunset.
You are required to wear long trousers & walk on barefoot inside the temple.
30 minutes are sufficient for your visiting time.
Address:
Location: In Myinkaba village, about a third of a mile south of Gubyaukgyi. Off Bagan - Chauk road between old Bagan and new Bagan
Entrance Fee: No fee
Highlights
The temple contains four of the most impressive Buddha images in Myanmar. Three seated Buddhas are in the front of the building in the back is a huge reclining Buddha. Their enclosures seem too small for them - supposedly representing the stress ever. Only the reclining Budda is said that, in the act of entering parinibbana (final passing away), have a smile on its face.
It is said that only the reclining Buddha, in the act of entering parinibbana (final passing away), has a smile on its face, showing that for Manuha, only death was a release from his suffering. But if you climb to the top of this paya via the stairs in the back (ask for keys if it’s locked), you can see the face of sitting Buddha through a window – from up here you’ll realise that the gigantic face, so grim from below has an equally gigantic smile.
Visiting this temple, you are recommended to check out the reclining Buddha and enjoy great views from the temple top. This temple is definitely nice stop to take photos.
There is a famous festival (Paya Pwe) on the full moon of Tabaung (february-march) very popular amongst the devotees.
During the earthquake of 1975, the central roof collapsed, badly damaging the largest, seated Buddha, which has since been repaired.
