Manuha Temple
မနူဟာဘုရား
Said to have been built in 1067 by the captive Mon king Manuha, this temple crams colossal Buddha images into a cramped shrine, symbolizing the suffering of imprisonment.
Manuha Temple stands beside the main road in Myinkaba village. Legend has it that Manuha, the last king of the Thaton kingdom (Mon), built it in 1067 after King Anawrahta captured him and brought him to Bagan. Inside, three colossal seated Buddhas and a reclining Buddha are squeezed into a wildly disproportionate space, with the images nearly touching the ceiling and walls. The traditional interpretation is that this reflects the king's inner oppression during his captivity. The reclining Buddha wears a smile, which is seen as the king's peace of mind upon attaining liberation. The temple remains an active place of worship, with a huge alms bowl in the front courtyard and lively celebrations during festivals. It is most convenient to visit together with nearby Nanpaya Temple, Gubyaukgyi Temple and the Myinkaba lacquerware workshop. Remove your shoes before entering.
Opening hours
About 06:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Nanpaya Temple
- Gubyaukgyi Temple & Myazedi Inscription (Myinkaba)
- Mingalazedi Pagoda
- Shwesandaw Pagoda & Sunrise Viewpoints
- Bagan Archaeological Museum
- Pahtothamya Temple
- Mimalaung Kyaung
- Thatbyinnyu Temple