Nanpaya Temple
နန်းဘုရား
An 11th-century small stone temple beside Manuha Temple, whose interior pillars carry Brahma reliefs, rare masterpieces of sandstone carving in Bagan.
Nanpaya Temple sits right beside the south side of Manuha Temple. Legend says it was the residence of King Manuha during his captivity, or that it was built by his descendants, and it dates to the mid-to-late 11th century. Unlike most of Bagan's brick temples, it is faced with sandstone and is a typical Mon-style building: its windows are perforated stone grilles and the interior is dim. Four square pillars inside are carved with three-faced Brahma figures holding lotus flowers, finely detailed and among the most exquisite stone carvings in Bagan. The exterior walls also feature kirtimukha (monster-face) motifs. The temple is small, so a visit takes about 15 minutes, and it can be combined with Manuha Temple. Entry is covered by the archaeological zone ticket. The interior is poorly lit, so bring a flashlight.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Manuha Temple
- Gubyaukgyi Temple & Myazedi Inscription (Myinkaba)
- Mingalazedi Pagoda
- Shwesandaw Pagoda & Sunrise Viewpoints
- Bagan Archaeological Museum
- Pahtothamya Temple
- Mimalaung Kyaung
- Thatbyinnyu Temple